Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 43/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
The main talking point when it comes to the seventh round of the Chinese Super League season is without a doubt the derby of Shanghai, as Shanghai Port play host to Shanghai Shenhua at the Jinzhou Stadium.
Shanghai Port
It’s been a season of mixed fortunes for Shanghai Port so far, with three wins and three losses from the opening six matches. Having previously lost the Chinese FA Cup final to Shandong Luneng, they lost at home to Wuhan Zall by 0-1, and the first city derby of the year away to Shenhua by 2-0, before booking their first triumph, 0-2 away to Hebei CFFC. Then they beat Guangzhou at home by 1-0, lost 2-1 away to Wuhan Three Towns, and got their revenge on Wuhan Zall by beating them 1-2 away.
It was Xu Xin who broke the deadlock in that last game, and after his opener was cancelled out by Bruno Vianna for the hosts, Cherif Ndiaye struck seven minutes before the end to provide Ivan Leko’s team with a much-needed triumph.
With nine points, Shanghai Port are eighth in the league, in the group of four teams spanning places seven to 10 with same tally. The other three are Changchun Yatai (7th), Dalian Pro (9th) and Wuhan Zall (10th). There is a long way to go before the season is over of course, but as of now, Shanghai Port seem to be on course for a calm, mid-table finish, without much fuss or worry about reaching continental competitions or, on the other hand, relegation.
Team News
Having scored, Xu Xin had to leave the game against Wuhan Zall early due to a knock, and at the moment he’s considered a doubt for the city Derby. If he isn’t ready to play, Shiyuan Yang is likely to take his place in midfield in what would then be the third start of the season for the 28-year-old.
Paulinho, Ndiaye and Baiyang Liu are set to form the attacking line again.
Shanghai Shenhua
The campaign has been going significantly better for Shanghai Shenhua than for their city rivals, which they will find a welcome change on what happened last term. Wu Jingui’s team are currently second on goal-difference, sharing the top spot with leaders Wuhan Three Towns on 16 points. Shandong Luneng (15) and Henan Jianye (14) obviously aren’t too far behind, but both these teams have already played seven matches.
As for Shenhua’s recent form, it can easily be described as excellent, with five wins and a draw so far. They are the only team so far to have denied three points to Wuhan Three Towns, but it’s also true the other way around and that’s the explanation for their direct standoff at the top of the table.
Sheanhua first triumphed away to Guangzhou by 0-1 and beat Port in the first city derby by 2-0, before drawing 1-1 at home against Wuhan Three Towns. A 1-3 victory away to Hebei CFFC followed, after which came a 2-0 home win over Wuhan Zall and a 2-1 home win over Guangzhou.
Wang Haijian opened the scoring in that last game early on and Cao Yunding doubled Shenhua’s lead in the second half, before Weo Shihao struck to provide some consolation for the visitors.
Team News
Yunding will be hoping to start ahead of Zhu Baojie on the left attacking flank this time, having scored in the last two games. Christian Bassogog is likely to keep his place on the right wing as the man who proved decisive in the previous derby.
Conclusion
Shenhua have already proved the better team once this season, and given that they face Wuhan Three Towns three days later, they will surely to whatever it takes not to lose ground on the table toppers within sight of a chance to overtake them.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 43/20
Bookmaker: Unibet
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