Al Ittihad Faces Al Shabab in King’s Cup Semi-Final Showdown

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Al Ittihad aims for a domestic double as they battle in-form Al Shabab in the first semi-final of the Saudi King‘s Cup on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. The match kicks off at 11:30 p.m. IST (7:00 p.m. UK, 2:00 p.m. ET, 11:00 a.m. PT) at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Currently topping the Saudi Pro League, Al Ittihad faces a challenge with injuries to key players, including attacking midfielder Houssem Aouar and winger Steven Bergwijn. Both are sidelined due to injuries, which could impact the team’s performance as they seek to progress in the cup competition.

Al Ittihad manager Laurent Blanc has listed his expected starting XI in a 3-4-3 formation: Rajkovic; Al Mousa, Pereira, Sharahili; Al Shanqeeti, Al Nashri, Al Obod, Al Ghamdi; Diaby, Benzema, and Al Shehri. Al Ittihad has also confirmed the absence of Abdulelah Al Amri and Hassan Kadesh due to injury.

Al Shabab, similarly hampered by injuries, will miss goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, midfielder Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco, and forward Fahad Al Muwallad. They will play in a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring Al Maiouf; Al Thani, Al Sharari, Hoedt, and Roberto Renan; Aljuwayr, Kamara; Cristian Guanca, Bonaventura, and Podence; with Hamdallah leading the attack.

Al Ittihad holds an edge as they aim for a King’s Cup title while experiencing a slight slump in their league form with three consecutive draws. In the quarter-finals, they triumphed over rivals Al Hilal 5-3 in penalties after a dramatic battle. Meanwhile, Al Shabab enters the match on a confident note after a 6-0 victory against Al Orubah before the international break, demonstrating their formidable form.

Experts predict a close encounter despite Al Ittihad’s home advantage. In their last meeting in January, Al Ittihad narrowly won 2-1, but knockout matches often yield unpredictable results. Sports analysts suggest betting on an Al Ittihad win with both teams expected to score given their attacking capabilities.

The match’s outcome could significantly influence the rest of the tournament, especially with both teams seeking glory in front of their fans. Despite fielding a diminished squad, Al Shabab relies on its strong recent performances to challenge for a final spot.

Fans can tune in to the live match online via DAZN in the UK and Fox Soccer Plus in the US. As both teams prepare for this crucial semi-final in pursuit of cup success and potential qualification for the AFC Champions League, all eyes will be on Jeddah for what promises to be an electrifying contest.