Shandong Taishan vs Meizhou Hakka FC Prediction: Taishan Dui To Assert Their Dominance Against Intimidated Visitors

Shandong Taishan will be out to exact revenge for their 2:1 defeat to Meizhou Hakka FC earlier this season as they play host to them at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center in the 20th round of the Super League.

Let's have a look at the latest Chinese Super League predictions between Shandong Taishan vs Meizhou Hakka FC, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time! 

Shandong Taishan

Form: WLDWW

Following their 6:0 win over their opponent in this encounter in the fourth round of the CFA Cup, Shandong Taishan went on to build on their momentum in the league by convincingly defeating Beijing Guoan FC 3:0 at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center. 

Despite being held to a scoreless draw in the first half, their brilliance to keep their opponent at arms length by limiting their chances at goal didn't go unnoticed. Former Belgium international Marouane Fellaini took the initiative to put his side ahead fourteen minutes into the second half, and this was followed by goals from Yuanyi Li and Fernandinho to put the game beyond doubt and confirm their triumph.

Taishan Dui have been in impressive form in the league, where they have picked up seven wins and seven draws from their fourteen matches, with a 2:1 loss against Zhejiang Professional FC being an exception. With the importance of claiming a win here already jotted down, as this could see them make their way into the top three, there's no doubt they'll be at their peak performance.

They presently occupy fourth place with 32 points, two points ahead of Wuhan Three Towns in fifth place and Tianjin Teda in sixth place, while they are one point behind third place. However, they'll be out to claim maximum points.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

W. Dalei; L. Yang, Z. Zheng, K. Shi, W. Tong; L. Yuanyi, H. Zhengyu; P. Chen, L. Lisheng, L. Binbin; M. Fellaini

Meizhou Hakka FC

Form: WLLWW

Following their catastrophic 6:0 loss to Shandong Taishan in the fourth round of the CFA Cup, Meizhou Hakka weren't about to let that result dictate the terms of the league either, as they eked out a comfortable 2:1 win over bottom-table dwellers Dalian Pro.

Tyrone Conraad put his side ahead in the opening eight minutes, but they were pegged back by a Lobi Manzoki strike in merely three minutes, and Nebojsa Kosovic made it 2:1 for his side in the 37th minute, which turned out to be the game-winning goal.

That win put an end to their two-match losing streak, and taking into account their seven matches played in the league, they have picked up three wins, three losses, and a draw, a run that has seen them balance between consistency and inconsistency.

They presently occupy twelfth place with 19 points, level on points with Henan FC in eleventh place and five points adrift of tenth place, which is currently occupied by Cangzhou Mighty Lions FC.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

C. Yuelei; T. Yue, L. Junjian, R. Dugalic, Y. Chugui; N. Kosovic, J. Chen; C. Zhechao, Rodrigo Henrique, Y. Chaosheng; T. Conraad

Match Facts

• Shandong Taishan have won two consecutive home matches in this fixture.
• Meizhou Hakka FC are winless in seven away matches in the Super League.
• Shandong Taishan averages 2.38 goals per game when playing at home, and Meizhou Hakka FC averages 1.3 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

The last meeting between these two sides was in the fourth round of the CFA Cup, where Shandong Taishan romped to a commanding 6:0 victory.

Prior to that, there was a meeting in the fifth round of the current CSL season where Meizhou Hakka FC managed to eke out a 2:1 victory at home thanks to goals from Rade Dugali and Zhechao Chen.

In the last five meetings, Shandong Taishan have won 4 times, Meizhou Hakka FC have won 1 time, and there have been 0 draws, with the goal difference being 15-3 in favor of Shandong Taishan.

Expert Betting Tips

Shandong Taishan are now riding a wave of momentum that sees them on a two-match winning streak when playing at home and where they have yet to suffer defeat in eight matches, and there's no doubt that they'll run rampant against their opponent in this match, making their victory unquestionable.

Meizhou Hakka are aware that they have big shoes to fill going into this match, which will require them to repeat the same 2:1 victory over Shandong Taishan. Hopefully, this will fill them with confidence to record their second straight victory, but their 6:0 defeat to this opponent in the CFA Cup portends another unfavorable result.

Given that Shandong Taishan has been playing incredibly well at home compared to their opponents' terrible away record, and given that they have won two of their past four games by a score of 3:0, we anticipate them to win this match by a significant margin, which is why we anticipate them to cover the Asian handicap of -1.5.

• Handicap 1 (-1.5) for 1.75
• Corners - Over 9 for 2.10
• Total 1 - Over 2.5 for 2.03