The Round of 16 clash in the Egypt Cup pits Haras El Hodood against Smouha in a single-leg tie with high stakes for both sides.
The match kicks off at 12:30 GMT on January 8, 2026, at Harras El Hodood Stadium in Alexandria, a venue with a capacity of 22,000 that often creates an intense atmosphere for the home side. This Egypt Cup encounter comes amid a busy domestic schedule, with both teams navigating league and cup commitments. No official referee has been announced yet for this fixture.
BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS
As we dive deeper into this Egypt Cup matchup, recent performances and historical trends provide crucial context for informed decisions. The Haras El Hodood vs Smouha prediction today highlights a contest where home advantage meets historical dominance. Smouha’s superior head-to-head record adds intrigue, while Haras El Hodood’s inconsistent form raises questions about their ability to upset the odds. Key tactical battles in midfield and on the flanks could decide the outcome, with both sides likely prioritizing defensive solidity in a knockout setting. Expect a cautious start, potentially opening up in the second half if the score remains level.
Haras El Hodood Results
Haras El Hodood have shown vulnerability in recent outings, particularly against stronger opposition in cup competitions. Their home form offers some hope, but consecutive losses highlight defensive issues. The team has struggled to maintain clean sheets, conceding in four of their last five matches.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 04.01.26 | CUP | Kahrabaa Ismailia vs Haras El Hodood | 3-3 | D |
| 31.12.25 | CUP | ZED vs Haras El Hodood | 2-0 | L |
| 25.12.25 | CUP | Al Masry vs Haras El Hodood | 1-0 | L |
| 20.12.25 | CUP | Zamalek vs Haras El Hodood | 2-1 | L |
| 01.12.25 | CUP | Haras El Hodood vs El Ismaily | 3-1 | W |
Haras El Hodood managed just one win in their last five cup games, with that victory coming at home against El Ismaily. Three straight away defeats followed, exposing struggles on the road, though the recent draw showed resilience. Only four goals scored across these matches underline limited attacking threat, while eight conceded point to ongoing defensive frailties. The single home win provides a glimmer of optimism ahead of this fixture.
Smouha Results
Smouha have displayed mixed results but remain competitive, with a notable away win boosting confidence. Their ability to grind out results in cup ties stands out, though recent draws suggest occasional lapses in concentration.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 05.01.26 | CUP | Al Masry vs Smouha | 2-0 | L |
| 30.12.25 | CUP | Smouha vs Kahrabaa Ismailia | 2-2 | D |
| 25.12.25 | CUP | Zamalek vs Smouha | 0-1 | W |
| 20.12.25 | CUP | Smouha vs Al Ittihad | 0-0 | D |
| 10.12.25 | CUP | ZED vs Smouha | 1-0 | L |
Smouha secured one win and two draws in their last five, with the victory coming away at Zamalek—a strong result. Home draws indicate solidity without dominance, while the recent loss to Al Masry halted momentum. Five goals scored and five conceded reflect a balanced but not spectacular output. Their unbeaten run in three prior games before the latest defeat shows capability to compete against top sides.
Haras El Hodood vs Smouha Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)
Smouha hold a clear edge in recent encounters, winning four of the last five meetings across competitions. Haras El Hodood have failed to beat their opponents since earlier clashes, often struggling to contain Smouha’s attack.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 19.09.25 | PL | Smouha vs Haras El Hodood | 1-0 |
| 30.10.24 | PL | Haras El Hodood vs Smouha | 1-3 |
| 26.02.23 | PL | Smouha vs Haras El Hodood | 3-0 |
| 01.11.22 | PL | Haras El Hodood vs Smouha | 0-0 |
| 28.09.20 | PL | Smouha vs Haras El Hodood | 2-0 |
Smouha dominated with four victories and one draw, scoring 9 goals while conceding just 1. Low-scoring affairs feature prominently, with three clean sheets for Smouha. The most recent home game for Haras El Hodood ended in a heavy defeat, underscoring the challenge ahead.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Haras El Hodood vs Smouha
Official lineups are typically confirmed about an hour before kick-off, but based on recent cup matches, team news, and common formations in Egyptian football, here are the predicted starting XIs for this Egypt Cup Round of 16 tie. Both coaches are expected to field strong sides with no major rotations reported ahead of the game.
Haras El Hodood possible starting lineup:
El Zanfaly (GK), Awad (DF), Abou-Salima (DF), Mohamed (DF), El Deghemy (DF), Ashraf (MF), Bayoumi (MF), El Henawy (MF), El Negely (MF), Ouka (MF), Gamal (FW).

Smouha possible starting lineup:
Soliman (GK), Hafez (DF), Ragab (DF), Awad (DF), Amer (DF), Fathi (MF), Fawzi (MF), Yehia (MF), Khaled (FW), Ehab (FW), Ashraf (FW).

Key Factors to Watch
Both teams enter this cup tie with full squads available, allowing coaches to field strongest lineups. Recent form and historical patterns will play significant roles in a match likely to be decided by fine margins.
- No major injuries or suspensions reported for either side, ensuring key players like Mahmoud El Zonfoly (Haras El Hodood GK) and Smouha’s attacking options are fit;
- Haras El Hodood’s home advantage could spark an upset, but their three consecutive cup losses raise concerns;
- Smouha’s strong H2H record, including four wins in the last five, makes them historical favorites;
- Recent low-scoring trends in head-to-heads suggest under 2.5 goals as a possibility;
- Haras El Hodood in a minor winless streak away, but one home win provides motivation;
- Smouha coming off a loss but with a solid away win earlier in the cup;
- Defensive solidity key for Haras El Hodood, who conceded in most recent games;
- Smouha’s counter-attacking style could exploit spaces if hosts push forward;
- Motivation high in knockout stage, with progression to quarterfinals at stake.
Free Tips on Haras El Hodood vs Smouha
Before placing any bets on this Egypt Cup Round of 16 clash, consider these practical tips drawn from statistical trends, historical data, and match-specific context. These insights focus on broader factors that often influence outcomes in Egyptian football knockouts like this one. Analyzing beyond recent form and head-to-heads can uncover hidden value in the betting markets.
- Home vs Away Performance: Haras El Hodood benefit from playing at their Alexandria fortress, where crowd support can boost morale in single-leg ties; however, Smouha have shown resilience on the road in recent cup games, often grinding out results against lower-ranked sides.
- Tactics & Style of Play: Smouha typically employ a disciplined counter-attacking approach that exploits transitions, which could suit a low-block setup against Haras El Hodood’s more direct style—expect fewer open chances and a preference for set-pieces deciding the game.
- Weather Conditions on Match Day: January in Alexandria brings mild temperatures around 18°C with possible light showers; a potentially damp natural grass pitch at Harras El Hodood Stadium may slow the ball slightly, favoring physical duels over quick passing and reducing the likelihood of a high-scoring spectacle.
- Referee Tendencies: Egyptian cup referees often maintain strict control in knockout fixtures, but specific appointee details are pending—monitor for officials known for higher card counts, as tense derbies like this can see elevated bookings in midfield battles.
- Recent Schedule Congestion: Both teams have navigated busy cup runs leading into this tie; fatigue could play a role if rotations are limited, particularly for Smouha after their mixed results in December fixtures, potentially leading to a cautious, low-energy second half.
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Haras El Hodood vs Smouha Match Prediction 2026
Smouha enter as slight favorites due to their dominant head-to-head record and more consistent cup performances, despite the away fixture. Haras El Hodood’s home support offers hope, but recent defensive lapses and failure to beat Smouha in years tilt the balance. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair where Smouha’s experience in big moments shines through. Haras El Hodood vs Smouha odds reflect this, with value potentially on the visitors or under goals markets.
Our Prediction: Haras El Hodood 0-1 Smouha
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Outcome | Smouha Win | 2.42 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 1.67 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 1.48 |
You can place your bets on Haras El Hodood vs Smouha at bc.game.