Preview: Saudi El Clasico Heats Up in King’s Cup Quarterfinals
The Saudi El Clasico ignites on Tuesday as Al-Hilal face Al-Ittihad in the King’s Cup quarterfinal at Kingdom Arena. Both teams lead the Saudi Pro League, with Al-Ittihad topping the table and Al-Hilal trailing by two points.
Recent Form and Head-to-Head
Al-Hilal, last season’s unbeaten league champions, secured a 3-2 victory over Al-Raed on December 7, 2024. They overturned deficits twice, with Ali Albulayhi scoring the decisive goal in the 14th minute of stoppage time. This win extended their winning streak to three matches across all competitions.
Conversely, Al-Ittihad boasts an impressive 11-game winning streak, initiated after a 3-1 loss to Al-Hilal in September. Their latest triumph was a 1-0 victory against Al-Nassr on December 6, 2024, with Steven Bergwijn netting the winner in the 91st minute.
Historically, in 88 encounters, Al-Hilal has emerged victorious 44 times, while Al-Ittihad has secured 21 wins. Al-Ittihad’s last victory over Al-Hilal dates back to April 2021, marking a 2-0 win in the Saudi Pro League. Since then, Al-Hilal has dominated, winning the last seven meetings consecutively.
Injury Updates and Team News
Al-Hilal faces injury concerns, with Neymar Jr. doubtful and Ruben Neves sidelined. However, Joao Cancelo, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Sergej Milinković-Savić have returned to training, though their participation remains uncertain. Yasser Al Shahrani is out for the season due to an ACL injury.
Al-Ittihad’s squad appears more stable, with Al Bishi, Felipe, and Moussa Diaby listed as doubtful. The rest of the team is fit and ready for the crucial encounter.
Possible Lineups
Al-Hilal: Bono (GK); Yami, Tambakti, Bulaihi, Lodi; Dawsari, Kanno; Leonardo, Malcom, Al-Dawsari; Ghannam.
Al-Ittihad: Rajkovic (GK); Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Kante, Fabinho; Obod, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema.
This fixture promises excitement, with both teams in formidable form and boasting some of the league’s top talents. Their attacking styles suggest a thrilling encounter that will captivate fans and neutrals alike. While Al-Hilal holds a psychological edge with their recent dominance, Al-Ittihad’s current form could tip the scales in their favor.
As the Saudi El Clasico unfolds, football enthusiasts can anticipate a high-stakes battle that could define both teams’ aspirations in the King’s Cup.
