Zhejiang Professional FC vs Shanghai Shenhua Prediction: The Flower Of Shanghai Is Being Underestimated

Zhejiang Professional FC welcome Shanghai Shenhua to the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium in the 15th round of the Super League.

The Flower of Shanghai knows it will be faced with a difficult challenge, an obstacle that could hamper their chances of getting back to winning ways and narrowing down the point gap to first place, which makes putting forth a convincing performance here a priority to avoid defeat.

Let's have a look at the latest Chinese Super League predictions between Zhejiang Professional FC vs Shanghai Shenhua, team news, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Form: LWDWW

Zhejiang Professional FC were brought crashing back down to earth in their recent outing against Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC, bowing down to a 2:1 defeat. That loss put an end to their five-match unbeaten run away from home.

In that match, they were trailing by a goal in the opening six minutes, and despite their valiant efforts to find an equalizer, an unfortunate ordeal befell them as Dong Yu received his marching orders in the 32nd minute, giving their opponents the edge to make it 2:0 in first-half stoppage time. And the second half witnessed them find the breakthrough late in the 89th minute through Lucas Possignolo's strike, which served as consolation.

Before that loss, they were on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, picking up five wins and two draws. And it's safe to say that despite their recent hiccup, confidence is still high in their camp, which will likely see them turn out to be a highly competitive side in this encounter.

They presently occupy ninth place with 18 points and are only three points adrift of seventh place, while a two-point advantage has seen them be above Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC in tenth place.

Dong Yu, who received his marching orders in a 2:1 defeat against Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC on the road, will not be available for selection as he begins to serve his suspension. He is likely to be replaced by Wang Dongsheng.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

B. Zhao; Y. Xin, Lucas, L. Nok Hang, W. Dongsheng; Q. Jiegei, L. Tixiang; J. Kouassi, C. Jin, G. Di; N. Mushekwi

Form: LWWWD

Shanghai Shenhua knew that Tianjin Teda would prove to be a stern test to be put to the sword as they dropped three points in a 2:1 defeat at home, ultimately putting an end to their seven-match unbeaten run at the Shanghai Stadium.

Cephas Malele took the lead in the opening eighteen minutes, when his side were in cruise control. However, luck wasn't on their side in the second half, as the scoreline was level in the 63rd minute. Though it seemed likely that a share of the spoils would be seen come full-time, a careless mistake from their goalie in the 85th minute shattered all those hopes, condemning them to defeat.

Despite the loss, Wu Jingui is likely to turn a blind eye and flip the pages to a more positive outlook, as they have only suffered a solitary defeat in their last six matches in all competitions, a run that saw them book their place in the fourth round of the Chinese FA Cup. And with that, Wu Jingui will lean on the hope that not all is lost with his side's momentum.

They are presently in second place with 28 points, and the point gap between them and Shanghai Port FC in first place has been extended to five points, while behind them they are only a point ahead of third-place Chengdu Rongcheng FC, which makes securing all three points here a crucial task.

Wu Jingui will be glad to know that he has no fitness concerns to be worried about coming into this game, where it's highly likely that he'll name the same starting lineup that was involved in a 2:1 defeat to Tianjin Teda.

Formation: 4-3-3

B. Yaxiong; A. Fulangxisi, J. Shenglong, Z. Chenjie, M. Hing-Glover; H. Wang, I. Amadou, X. Haoyang; C. Yunding, C. Malele, J. Teixeira

• Zhejiang Professional FC have yet to lose any of their last twelve home matches against Shanghai Shenhua.
• Shanghai Shenhua have lost only one of their last six away matches in the Super League.
• Zhejiang Professional FC averages 1.67 goals per game when playing at home, and Shanghai Shenhua averages 1.33 goals per game when playing away.

The previous CSL meeting between these two sides witnessed Zhejiang Professional FC walk away with a 2:0 triumph at the Jinjiang Football Training Centre Stadium thanks to goals from Nyasha Mushekwi and Matheus Nascimento's own goal. 

In the last 18 meetings, Zhejiang Professional FC have won six times, Shanghai Shenhua have won five times, and there have been seven draws, with the goal difference being 22-21 in favor of Shanghai Shenhua.

Zhejiang Professional FC were a little unfortunate in their match against Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC not to have walked away with a convincing win, which also resulted in their seven-match unbeaten run coming to an end. Coming into this game, they'll be hoping to rekindle their confidence by getting back to winning ways at home, where they've fared much better with their performance.

Shanghai Shenhua will too be aiming for the same objective as their opponent in this encounter, and with four wins in their last six away matches, there's no doubt they'll be looking to make a statement here to avoid losing any ground in their bid for a first-place finish.

One aspect that has stood out with the visitors is their consistency when it comes to scoring, which has seen them score a goal in all of their fourteen matches played, and despite being underdogs in this encounter, there's no ruling them out of getting their name on the scoreboard. As such, anticipate both sides getting on the scoreboard.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.90
• Draw No Bet - Shanghai Shenhua for 2.18
• Total - Over 2.5 for 2.13