The King’s Cup quarter-finals take centre stage this week, with Saudi football giants looking to avoid upsets and one unlikely contender chasing a historic breakthrough.
Here’s what to expect from all the matches, live on SPOTV NOW.
Al-Kholood vs Al-Khaleej
November 28 @ 10:50PM (GMT+8)
Al-Kholood are enjoying their best King’s Cup run since the tournament’s format revamp in 2014. On top of being one of the newer clubs competing in the Saudi top flight, their previous four appearances all ended in the first round, making this season’s journey nothing short of remarkable.
They face an Al-Khaleej side led by former Manchester United and Bournemouth forward Joshua King, whose 10 goals in nine matches have transformed the club’s attack. The Norwegian sat out their recent 4-1 defeat to Al-Nassr with a muscle injury, but he could return for this cup match. Containing the in-form striker will be crucial if Al-Kholood hope to keep their fairytale run alive.
Al-Ahli vs Al-Qadsiah
November 29 @ 1:30AM (GMT+8)
Eight-time winners Al-Ahli enter the quarter-finals looking to reassert their traditional King’s Cup pedigree, having last lifted the trophy in 2016. Standing in their way are Al-Qadsiah, a side they just defeated 2-1 in the league last Saturday. That result should give Riyad Mahrez and his team-mates a confidence boost against last year’s runners-up, who themselves have shown steady performances since getting promoted to the Roshn Saudi League.
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Al-Hilal vs Al-Fateh
November 29 @ 10:40PM (GMT+8)
Victory looks set in stone for Al-Hilal, who have been unbeaten in all competitions, sitting second in the league and topping the AFC Champions League Elite (West) standings. Simone Inzaghi’s side are also fresh from beating Al-Fateh in the league a few days ago, thanks to goals from Darwin Nunez and Ruben Nevez, giving them added confidence heading into the cup tie.
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Shabab
November 30 @ 1:30AM (GMT+8)
Al-Ittihad are enduring a difficult campaign, sitting 13 points off Al-Nassr at the top and coming off Monday’s 4–2 loss to Al-Duhail — their third defeat in five AFC Champions League Elite matches. However, the King’s Cup has offered a rare bright spot for Karim Benzema and company, highlighted by their impressive win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in the previous round. Playing at home to a struggling Al-Shabab team, they may already have one foot in the semi-finals.
