Al Hilal and Al Ittihad will clash in a highly anticipated quarterfinal match of the 2024-25 King’s Cup, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry. This showdown promises to be electric, with both teams boasting stellar lineups filled with top domestic and international talent.
The match is set for Tuesday, January 7, 2024, at 12:30 PM ET, and will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fans won't miss out, as the match will be broadcast live across multiple platforms, including Fubo, DirecTV Stream, FS2, and FOX Deportes, ensuring viewers can catch all the action.
Last season, Al Hilal demonstrated its dominance by sweeping the league titles. This year, they currently face tough competition from Al Ittihad, who are sitting at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings, holding a two-point lead over their rivals. Hence, this King’s Cup encounter serves as more than just another match; it’s akin to a final for both teams.
Both clubs enter this match with high expectations. The Blue Waves (Al Hilal) recently powered through the round of 16 with a decisive 4-1 victory over Al Tai, showcasing their attacking prowess. Conversely, Ittihad earned their place with a solid 2-0 win against Al Jandal. "Both teams have ample national team players of Saudi Arabia as well as some of the best foreign players," noted Khel Now, highlighting the depth of quality players on both sides.
Despite their formidable history and capabilities, Al Hilal faces significant challenges, as key players such as Neymar Jr. and Reuben Neves are listed as doubtful due to injuries. Joao Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are also on the injury list, putting pressure on the remaining squad members to step up and deliver. Al Hilal coach Jorge Jesus will rely heavily on Marcos Leonardo, whose versatility and skill could prove to be pivotal.
On the other hand, Al Ittihad arrives with excitement and confidence, led by manager Laurent Blanc. The team is poised to take advantage of their current form and head-to-head statistics, having won the last meeting with Al Hilal convincingly. Steven Bergwijn and Houssem Aouar are likely to be prominent figures, creating chances for star striker Karim Benzema. An interesting statistic to note is Al Hilal's impressive win rate at home; they have won 100% of their matches when leading 1-0.
Historically, Al Hilal holds the advantage with 24 wins out of 39 previous encounters with Al Ittihad, reflecting their long-standing dominance. Nonetheless, expectations are high, and this match will decisively impact both clubs' ambitions for the season. Al Ittihad aims to maintain their excellent form, whereas Al Hilal seeks to reclaim their title and pride.
The stakes couldn’t be higher, as both teams not only compete for the prestigious King’s Cup but also for fan loyalty and bragging rights. The electric atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena is expected to mirror the intensity, and excitement surrounding one of the most significant rivalries in Saudi football.
All eyes will be on this explosive matchup, and fans can expect nothing less than thrilling football. Will Al Hilal bounce back from their injury woes, or will Al Ittihad seize this opportunity to outshine their arch-rivals? The only way to find out is to tune in on January 7.