The first encounter of the 2014-2015 season between the two leading clubs will decide the Canbo Senior Shield trophy as Eastern and Kitchee meet in Saturday's much-anticipated final at Hong Kong Stadium.
Eastern are enjoying a fine run this season, staying on top of the standings with 19 points, while Kitchee are five points behind, but can catch up with two games in hand.
We don't fear them as we have a good record against Kitchee in cup finals
Incredibly they have yet to play each other in the Hong Kong Premier League, with their first such game scheduled next week.
Indeed, the last time the two sides met was also in a final as Eastern prevailed 1-0 after extra time in the FA Cup in May, thanks to a last-minute header from marksman Giovane da Silva.
Despite some outstanding results in recent years, Kitchee have struggled in the Senior Shield, the oldest tournament in Hong Kong with the first final being held more than 100 years ago in 1896.
The last time they reached the final was in 2010 when they were beaten 4-2 by South China after leading by two goals in the first half.