El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Match Preview
Christmas Day football comes to Cairo as Group B leaders El Gouna face National Bank of Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday, 25 December 2025. El Gouna have been impeccable in the cup so far, winning both their opening games to sit top with 6 points. They arrive in confident form, having won four straight matches in all competitions. National Bank of Egypt (NBE) sit 3rd with 4 points and remain unbeaten in their last five, but a 1–1 draw with Modern Sport in the last round halted their momentum. With qualification for the quarter-finals at stake, this is a pivotal clash.
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Match Info
- Competition: Egyptian League Cup (Group Stage – Matchday 3)
- Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo (Capacity: 75,000)
- Date: Thursday, 25 December 2025
- Kickoff: 18:00 EET (Cairo) | 16:00 GMT
- Referee: TBC (EFA Appointment)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Match Stakes
El Gouna (1st — 6 pts):
- Win → Moves to 9 pts; all but guarantees qualification as group winners
- Draw → Maintains the 2-point gap over NBE; a solid result to keep control
- Loss → Drops to 2nd/3rd; qualification battle becomes wide open for the final rounds
National Bank of Egypt (3rd — 4 pts):
- Win → Leapfrogs El Gouna to take top spot (7 pts); massive step towards knockouts
- Draw → Keeps them in the hunt but relying on other results
- Loss → Gap to leaders widens to 5 pts; puts qualification in serious jeopardy
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Team News
El Gouna:
- Randrianantenaina A. — Available (Key Winger)
- Mohsen M. — Available (Top Scorer/Veteran Leader)
- El Sayed N. — Available (Captain & Midfield Anchor)
- Full Strength: Manager Alaa Abdelaal is expected to name his strongest XI to secure qualification early.
National Bank of Egypt:
- Faisal O. — Out (International Duty – Egypt AFCON Squad)
- Annor Y. — Available (Key Threat)
- Helal M. — Available (Creative Hub)
- Simpore S. — Available (Defensive Leader)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
El Gouna
- 20/12 — 2–0 vs Pyramids (League Cup)
- 10/12 — 3–1 vs Ismaily (League Cup)
- 04/12 — 2–1 vs Asyut Petroleum (Egypt Cup)
- 23/11 — 2–0 vs Al Ittihad (League)
- 01/11 — 0–1 vs Pharco (League)
National Bank of Egypt
- 18/12 — 1–1 vs Modern Sport (League Cup)
- 09/12 — 6–1 vs Pyramids (League Cup)
- 27/11 — 4–1 vs Bur Fouad (Egypt Cup)
- 22/11 — 0–0 vs Modern Sport (League)
- 04/11 — 1–1 vs ZED (League)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 18/10/2025 — El Gouna 0–3 National Bank (Premier League)
- 21/01/2025 — El Gouna 1–2 National Bank (Premier League)
- 17/06/2024 — El Gouna 1–1 National Bank (Premier League)
- 10/01/2024 — El Gouna 3–1 National Bank (League Cup)
- 14/12/2023 — National Bank 2–3 El Gouna (Premier League)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
El Gouna (4-3-3)
Masoud; Taalab, Shousha, Jatta, K. Ahmed; N. El Sayed, M. Mahmoud, Belia; Shika, Mohsen, Randrianantenaina
National Bank of Egypt (4-2-3-1)
El Balouti; Yakubu, Simpore, El Gazar, Belya; Fathi, M. Emad; Annor, Helal, Madbouli; Oufa (Replacing Osama Faisal)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Impact Bench
El Gouna: Etouga (Goal threat), Hassouna (Midfield energy)
National Bank of Egypt: Bambo (Pace on wing), Kaoud (Forward option)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Tactical Analysis
El Gouna
Currently flying high, El Gouna have found a perfect balance. Their 2–0 win over Pyramids showed their defensive discipline and ability to counter. Without Osama Faisal to worry about, El Gouna’s defense can focus entirely on stopping Yaw Annor on the flank. They will look to Marwan Mohsen to hold up the ball and bring their fast wingers into play.
National Bank of Egypt
The loss of Osama Faisal to the AFCON squad is huge. He is their focal point and top scorer. Ahmed Amin Oufa must step up to lead the line. NBE hammered Pyramids 6–1 earlier in the group, showing they have firepower, but they struggled to break down Modern Sport. They need Mohamed Helal to control the midfield and feed Annor in space behind El Gouna’s full-backs.
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Key Battles
- Mohsen vs Simpore — veteran striker vs physical center-back
- Helal vs El Sayed — battle for midfield control
- Annor vs Jatta — pace mismatch on the wing
- Masoud vs Oufa — GK needs to be alert to crosses
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Spotlight Players
El Gouna — Marwan Mohsen
The former Al Ahly striker is enjoying a renaissance. His experience in managing big games will be vital for El Gouna to maintain their 100% record in the group.
National Bank of Egypt — Yaw Annor
With Faisal away, Annor is the main man. His blistering speed is NBE’s best route to goal. If he gets isolated 1v1, he can win the match on his own.
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Prediction
El Gouna 1–1 National Bank of Egypt
El Gouna are in better form, but National Bank have had the upper hand in recent league meetings (winning the last two). The absence of Osama Faisal levels the playing field significantly. Expect a tactical battle where both sides settle for a point that keeps their qualification hopes alive.
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Betting Insights
- Both Teams to Score — YES
- Double Chance — El Gouna or Draw
- Under 2.5 Goals — Possible (Tight cup clash)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — Where to Watch
- Egypt: OnTime Sports 1
- International: YouTube (Kora Plus)
El Gouna vs National Bank of Egypt — FAQs
Q: When is the El Gouna vs National Bank match?
A: The match kicks off on Thursday, 25 December 2025, at 18:00 local time (Cairo).
Q: Is Osama Faisal playing?
A: No. He has been called up to the Egypt squad for AFCON 2025.
Q: Who is top of the group?
A: El Gouna are currently 1st with 6 points from 2 games.
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