Shenzhen FC vs Shanghai Port FC Prediction: The Youth Army's Defense Is A Walking Disaster

Shenzhen FC welcomes Shanghai Port FC to the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre in the 17th round of the Super League.

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

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Shenzhen FC

Form: LLLLL

Starting with the hosts, the Youth Army were seen putting in another downbeat display as they slumped to a morale-crushing 5:0 loss at the hands of Qingdao Hainiu FC away from home.

Peng Xinli's goal inside five minutes meant they were a goal down up until the halftime whistle. With a chance to change all that in their search for an equalizer, their lack of motivation in the final third and willingness bore dire consequences at the end as they conceded four goals in the latter stages of the game.

Chen Tao's men are without a win in their last seven matches across all competitions, picking up six losses and a draw, a drastic run that has seen them pay a hefty price in the Chinese FA Cup, where they were eliminated in the third round by third-tier Nantong Haimen Codion. It's also worth mentioning that in the league, they are on a six-match losing streak.

In the standings, they presently occupy fifteenth place with 11 points, level on points with bottom dwellers Dalian Pro, and are only a point adrift from safety; however, securing all three points will be their main priority.

Team News

Ning Li will continue to sit this one out as he continues to serve the second of his three-match ban.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 5-3-2

M.Z. Wei; D. Zheng, M.C. Yuan, Z. Tian, Y. Zhang, Z. Jiang; Y. Zhang, R.F. Huang, Y. Xu; H. Shahsat, X. Chen

Shanghai Port FC

Form: WDDWW

As for the visitors, they had the perfect response to get back to winning ways as they outplayed Wuhan Three Towns to eke out a comfortable 3:1 triumph in front of their supporters, and this comes after playing out a 1:1 draw against Dalian Pro at home. 

With Oscar's attempt at goal blocked from the penalty spot in the 37th minute, neither side could break the impasse in the first half, but there's no denying that their opponent being down to ten men before the half-time whistle was fate lending them a helping hand, a gesture they couldn't turn a blind eye to as Li Shenglong put his side ahead in the 62nd minute only for the lead to be doubled by an own goal three minutes later. Despite Tyias Browning being sent off in the 74th minute, Wu Lei shipped out one five minutes later only for his side concede a goal in the last minute.

The Red Eagles have typified consistency, as their impressive performance has seen them suffer only a solitary defeat in the last seven matches across all competitions, picking up four wins, two draws, and a loss. With confidence and morale levels at a high, another win on the bounce could as well be on the cards given they are up against a floundering side.

In the standings, they presently occupy first place with 37 points and have maintained a six-point advantage over Shanghai Shenhua in second place.

Team News

Tyias Browning, who received a straight red card in a 3:1 triumph over Wuhan Three Towns, won't be available for selection as he will serve the first of his three-match ban.

Shenglong Li is likely to retain his place up front, replacing Issa Kallon, to partner up with Wu Lei in attack after his impressive display against Wuhan Three Towns, coming off the bench to score a goal.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-3-1-2

J. Yan; S. Wang, A. Li, L.P. Zhang, W. Lü; M. Muzepper, H. Cai, X. Xu; Oscar; S. Li, W. Lei

Match Facts

• Shenzhen FC have lost six consecutive matches in the Super League.
• Shanghai Port FC are currently on a four-match winning streak when playing away against Shenzhen FC.
• Shenzhen FC averages 1.11 goals per game when playing at home, and Shanghai Port FC averages 1.63 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

The last meeting between these two sides was in the second round of the current CSL season, where Shanghai Port FC managed to eke out a hard-fought 3:2 triumph in front of their supporters thanks to goals from Jiang Guangtai, Markus Pink, and Wu Lei. 

In the last 9 meetings, Shenzhen FC have won 0 times, Shanghai Port FC have won 8 times, and there have been 1 draw, with the goal difference being 25-7 in favor of Shanghai Port FC.

Expert Betting Tips

The tables have turned in the standings, and Shenzhen FC, being the center of it all, have now unwittingly landed themselves in the relegation zone, and their season has now turned into a fight for survival as they look to avoid being relegated to the second tier, though it's still early to be throwing around assumptions as they have ample time at their disposal to preset their trajectory.

Shanghai Port FC arrive at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre unbeaten in their last four matches on the road in this fixture; in fact, Javier Pereira's men have won all four matches, and there's no doubt that they are favorites to clinch another victory.

Shenzhen FC conceded 17 goals in their last nine home matches, which is an average of 1.89 goals per game, and though it may seem like a slightly alarming rate, recall that this is a side that has shipped in 23 goals in their last six matches while accounting for two in the process.

With this in mind, Shanghai Port FC should have enough arsenal at their disposal to fire their way to a commanding victory, where an individual total of over 3.5 goals in their favor should be enough to surface.

• Total 2 - Over 3.5 for 2
• Goals - Over 3.5 for 1.72
• Corners - Under 10 for 2.10