Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker:
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
