Henan FC vs Nantong Zhiyun FC Prediction: Expect A Low-scoring Affair

Henan FC have now lost four consecutive matches in the league, depicting a side faced with inconsistency, and they'll be hoping to get back to winning ways in front of their supporters as they welcome Nantong Zhiyun FC to the Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium in the 18th round of the Super League.

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Henan FC

Form: LLLLW

Taking a trip down memory lane, the Red Devils had a productive season in the previous one, where they finished in sixth place with 59 points, an achievement worth commending. However, replicating that success in the current season has turned out disastrous, as they are far from meeting expectations.

Having come from a convincing 2:0 loss at the hands of Chengdu Rongcheng FC on the road, they were met with another unfavorable outcome in their most recent outing as their bid for getting back to winning ways was foiled as Qingdao Hainiu FC proved to be a stern test, eventually succumbing to a 2:0 defeat.

This season they find themselves flirting with relegation mainly due to their four-match losing streak in the league, where their poor goal-scoring form has undeniably been their undoing, failing to score in three consecutive matches. In the league, they boast the worst offense that's ranked number one, scoring thirteen goals in seventeen matches with Nantong Zhiyun and Dalian Pro in the same bracket. Rock bottom Shenzhen FC has scored more goals than them—15.

In the standings, they presently occupy thirteenth place with 15 points, three points ahead of the relegation zone and one point behind eleventh place. However, collecting all maximum points will be their agenda in this clash as they look to keep a safe distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Team News

Henan FC are still without Nemanja Čović, who serves his last of the three-match ban; however, with the fourth round of the Chinese FA Cup fast approaching with four days to go as they take on Dalian Pro, the Serbian star will by then be available for selection for this spectacular showdown.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-3

G. Wang; X. Luo, T. Šunjić, C. Gu, Y. Zhong; S. Wang, S. Li, T. Pina; H. Pereira, D. Han, Z. Huang

Nantong Zhiyun FC

Form: DDDDL

Nantong Zhiyun are on the receiving end of an abysmal season after securing promotion to the top tier for the first time, and though they are not lurking in the relegation zone, only time will tell, as two wins, seven draws, and eight losses in their last seventeen matches certainly do read for a side that will likely be flirting with relegation from time to time.

With their chances of walking away unscathed in their most recent match against Shandong Taishan narrowed down to nought as nothing much was expected from them, they however had luck on their side as a numerical advantage in the field fueled them to hold their opponents to a 1:1 draw thanks to Rubilio Castillo's strike in the dying embers.

Gabri's men are on a four-match unbeaten run, and while that calls for excitement levels to be high, that hasn't been the case with them as they have picked up four draws in a row, which sums up to four points accumulated, and to add salt to the wound, they are winless in six matches, with their last win in the league coming from Qingdao Hainiu FC (1:0) on June 4th. A definite yes for a more improved showing from them moving forward.

In the standings, they presently occupy fourteenth place with 13 points, one point ahead of the relegation zone and three points behind eleventh place, which makes collecting maximum points in this clash crucial.

Team News

Nantong Zhiyun FC manager Gabri will be glad to know that he has no fitness concerns to be worried about coming into this clash owing to a completely healthy group.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-4-3

X. Shi; Y. Shinar, W. Liu, Bressan, L. Morelatto; M.Y. Yang, K. Cao, D. Puclin, R. Baldé; H. Zheng, G. Hong

Match Facts

• Henan FC are currently on a four-match losing streak in the Super League.
• Nantong Zhiyun FC are winless in their last six away matches in the Super League.
• Henan FC averages 0.88 goals per game when playing at home, and Nantong Zhiyun FC averages 0.63 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

The last meeting between these two sides was in the third round of the current CSL season, when Nantong Zhiyun FC eked out a 1:0 victory in front of their fans thanks to a Rubilio Castillo goal in the 78th minute. This match also marked their first ever meeting in the Super League.

Expert Betting Tips

Henan FC have lost four consecutive matches in the league, and their situation in front of goal has not been great either, as they have failed to score in three consecutive matches. However, with home advantage at their disposal, there might be a chance that they'll likely be on the scoreboard as they seek to get hold of maximum points.

Nantong Zhiyun have lost four of their last five away matches in the league, but despite that, they have proven to be a tough nut to crack in recent weeks, going unbeaten in four matches and opting for draws, and while the hosts will make things difficult for them here to collect maximum points, they will be content with another point.

With this being a hard one to call as neither side has shown any signs of improving when it comes to their form, we anticipate this to be a low-scoring encounter where both sides are likely to get on the scoreboard.

• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 1.90
• Handicap 2 (0) for 2.43
• Total - Under 2.5 for 1.69