Preview:Al Ahly vs. Esperance Tunis - prediction, team news, lineups

Firmly in the box seat, Al Ahly head into the second leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final against Esperance Tunis at the Al Salam Stadium on Saturday.

The winners of the tie will face one of Kaizer Chiefs or Wydad AC on July 17 to be crowned as the best club side in African football.

Match preview

Al Ahly ended their three-week hiatus with a 1-0 triumph over Esperance Tunis in the first leg of their semi-final meeting at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi on Saturday.

In what was an otherwise cagey contest, Mohamed Sherif produced the brightest moment of the game as he gave his side the lead midway through the second period.

For a side with the most goals scored in this year's tournament, Pitso Mosimane's men were a bit lacklustre in attack at times, but they held firm at the other end to get the job done.

The Nadi El Qarn are looking to follow in the footsteps of their opponents, who were the last side to win back-to-back CAF Champions League titles. Saturday's hosts already have a foothold on their penultimate assignment as they go in search of a 10th title overall and a sixth in the last 15 years.

Trailing albeit by a narrow margin, Esperance Tunis have it all to do in the second leg following a second consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Moin Chaabani's men were on course for a treble a few weeks ago, but a loss in the May's Tunisian Cup tie versus Etoile Sportive du Sahel coupled with last week's defeat in Rades leaves them in danger of ending the season having won only the league title. However, there is still plenty of time for the Saturday's visitors to redeem themselves and improve their record of only one win in ten games against the hosts.

Team News

Mohamed Magdy Afsha had to make do with a cameo appearance off the bench last time out, but he could be reinstated into the starting XI for this one.

Despite having returned to training recently, Mohamed Hany will not play any part in the contest, with Akram Tawfik set to retain his place in the side.

Egyptian defender Ahmed Ramadan is back in the matchday squad after he was forced to sit the first leg out due to a knock.

The defensive duo of Mohamed Ali Yaakoubi and Houcine Rabi have recently tested positive for coronavirus, ruling them out for the away side. Esperance Tunis will also have to deal with the absence of Ghailene Chaalali, who remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Al Ahly possible starting lineup:

El-Shenawy; Maaloul, Ashraf, Benoun, Tawfik; Al-Sulaya, Fathi, Dieng; Mohsen, Sherif, Afsha

Esperance Tunis possible starting lineup:

Cherifia; Chetti, Bedrane, Nagguez, Chemmam; Coulibaly, Benguit, Romdhane; Elhouni, Khalid, Togui

We say: Al Ahly 2-1 Esperance Tunis

Al Ahly can play with a bit of pressure off their back, as a draw would be enough to send them through. However, we are tipping them to emerge victorious and book a place in next month's final.