Al Ittihad vs Al Quadisiya

Al Ittihad, fresh off clinching another Saudi League title, aim to cap their season with more silverware as they face Al Qadisiya in the King’s Cup final at Al Inma Bank Stadium this Friday evening.

The Jeddah-based side, led by Laurent Blanc, head into the match with momentum, having won 20 of their last 21 home games. Al Ittihad’s dominant form includes nine victories in their final 11 league matches and only two losses in 39 games since September 2024. Their strong record against Al Qadisiya, with four wins in the last five meetings since 2019, further boosts their confidence.

Meanwhile, Al Qadisiya, who finished a respectable fourth in the Saudi League, 15 points behind Al Ittihad, are coming off a 2-0 loss in their final league game, ending a six-match unbeaten streak.

Michel’s team has struggled on the road, losing four of their last six away games, which could spell trouble for their trip to Jeddah. Despite a solid season, Al Qadisiya face an uphill battle against a formidable Al Ittihad side in the King’s Cup final.

The 2024/2025 season has been a triumph for both clubs. Last summer, the giants brought in Laurent Blanc as head coach, and his leadership revitalized Karim Benzema and the squad. Despite a few challenges along the way, they secured the league title ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, the newcomers defied expectations, climbing all the way to fourth place in the professional league.

In the cup competition, Diaby and his teammates powered through four opponents, facing their toughest test against Al-Hilal—a hard-fought 2-2 draw that was decided on penalties. They followed that up with a thrilling 3-2 semifinal victory over Al-Shabab. Their rivals, on the other hand, stormed through their path with four straight wins against formidable opponents: Al-Orubah, Al-Wahda, Al-Taawoun, and Al-Raed.

Now, with Laurent Blanc and Míchel masterminding tactics from the sidelines, this final is more than just a battle for silverware. It’s a clash of momentum versus grit, seasoned veterans against emerging talents, and high-pressure stakes under the watchful eyes of Saudi football’s passionate fans.

Tactically, both teams favor a 4-2-3-1 formation, but their strengths differ. Al-Ittihad leans on Champions League-winning experience, with N’Golo Kanté anchoring the midfield and the ever-dangerous Karim Benzema leading the attack—he’s netted three goals in his last three starts! Al-Qadsiah, meanwhile, relies on the red-hot Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has five goals in his last five appearances.

The midfield battle will be crucial, with Fabinho (Ittihad) and Nahitan Nández (Qadsiah) pulling the strings—both excel at dictating play while staying disciplined. This final promises fireworks, with legacy and ambition colliding on the biggest stage.