Thursday, March 28, 2024

Prediction: Shanghai Shenhua vs Guangzhou FC

Tom Dunstan in Free Soccer Predictions 24 Jun 2022

180 Views

Verdict: Shanghai Shenhua win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Chinese Super League table, Shanghai Shenhua will host Guangzhou FC on Sunday morning.

Shanghai Shenhua

Starting with the hosts, despite just about managing to scrape themselves a top-half finish in the Chinese Super League last season, Shanghai Shenhua have certainly made some real improvements this time around. Putting in another eye-catching last weekend as they claimed a deserved 2-0 victory at home against Wuhan, Head Coach Wu Jingui could even have his sights set on making a shock title charge. Opening up Sunday’s meeting at the Hongkou Football Stadium sat with just their goal difference keeping them off of top spot, ‘The Flower of Shanghai’ should be smelling a real chance to lay down another marker here. In fact, aside from a 1-1 draw against early title contenders Wuhan Three Towns on June 16th, they’re the only points that Shenhua have dropped from their opening five appearances. Likewise, rightfully tipped as a standout pick on Sunday morning, it should also be highlighted that Jingui’s men have suffered just a single defeat on home soil since way back in August 2021.

Team News

Bagging his first Super League goal of the season last weekend, former Marseille midfielder Alexander N’Doumbou should join the likes of Christian Bassogog in attack.

Breezing past Wuhan thanks to a 2-0 win last week, Jingui could be tempted to go with the same starting XI here.

Guangzhou FC

As for the visitors, while Guangzhou might still be recoginsed as one of the biggest clubs from across China, they are in the midst of what has been a downbeat run of form. Although the South China Tigers might have managed to finally open their account last weekend, it does not cover all of their issues. With it already looking like there could be some growing pressure on the shoulders of Head Coach Liu Zhiyu, the Guangdong-based outfit are firmly battling it out at the foot of the table. Remarkably losing each of their opening four Super League contests, a run highlighted by a stunning 6-0 defeat at the hands of Wuhan Three Towns on June 7th, the Reds need to find some momentum. However, a side that is desperately seeking some kind of boost, Zhiyu will also have a headache over his side’s recent meeting against Shanghai. Hit with a 1-0 loss when the two sides faced off earlier in the month, Guangzhou should be bracing themselves here.

Team News

Shown a pair of bookings against Hebei last weekend, Guangzhou will be without the suspended Afrden Asqer here.

Former Everton and Sunderland central defender Tyias Browning should once again partner Yang Li on Sunday morning.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the two sides faced off at the Tianhe Stadium on June 3rd, Shanghai Shenhua picked up a 1-0 victory.
    • Likewise, Sunday’s hosts have only dropped a pair of Super League points since opening the 2022 campaign.
    • However, aside from a 1-0 win against Hebei last weekend, Guangzhou have lost their other four top-flight fixtures.
    • Only one of the last five meetings between Sunday’s opponents has finished with both teams finding the net.
    • Shenhua have lost just a single matchup on home soil since way back in August 2021.

    Conclusion

    While Guangzhou might have finally managed to open their account last weekend, Zhiyu’s side will face a real task here. Opening up the 2022 campaign by losing each of their first four Super League showdowns, Shanghai Shenhua should be smelling another real chance here. In the midst of what has become a stellar purple patch, Sunday’s hosts have dropped just a pair of points so far and they’re really leading the chase at the top of the table. Likewise, managing to claim a deserved 1-0 victory when they made the trip to the Tianhe Stadium on June 3rd, we’re backing a similar outcome for ‘The Flower of Shanghai’ here.

    Verdict: Shanghai Shenhua win

    Best Odds: 1/2

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

    SHARE OR COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

    WE RECOMMEND

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This field is required *

    Join the conversation!

    or Register

    Live Scores

    advertisement

    Betting Guide Advertisement

    advertisement

    Become a Writer
    More More
    Top