Benzema's participation is not confirmed.

RIYADH, Jan 6: The much-anticipated clash between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad Jeddah in the quarter-finals of the King’s Cup is set to take place today, Tuesday, at the Kingdom Arena stadium. The matchup has historically brought good fortune to Al-Hilal, while Al-Ittihad Jeddah approaches it with less optimism.

According to statistics from the "Transfer Market" website, Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad have faced off 12 times across all competitions on a Tuesday. Al-Hilal emerged victorious in nine encounters, while Al-Ittihad secured just one win, and two matches ended in a draw.

Al-Hilal has dominated recent Tuesday matchups, winning the last three, including a 2-1 victory in the semi-finals of last season's King’s Cup and a 2-0 triumph in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League. Al-Ittihad's sole victory on a Tuesday dates back to 2011 when they defeated Al-Hilal 3-1 in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League.

In these encounters, Al-Hilal has scored 21 goals compared to Al-Ittihad's 10. Notably, Salem Al-Dawsari, Al-Hilal’s star player, leads as the top scorer in Tuesday matchups between the teams, with three goals to his name.

Meanwhile, Saudi press reports have revealed potential setbacks for Al-Ittihad. Star players Karim Benzema and Moussa Diaby suffered injuries just two days before the El Clasico showdown against Al-Hilal. According to Al-Youm newspaper, the duo missed training sessions, and their participation in the match will depend on the results of medical evaluations.

Benzema, Ittihad's leading scorer this season with 10 goals, and Diaby, the team's top assist provider with 10 assists, are both pivotal players whose potential absence could significantly impact Al-Ittihad's performance.