Chengdu Rongcheng return home in flying form when they host Shanghai Port at the Dujiangyan Sports Center Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, with the two sides reaching Round 13 for very different reasons.
The hosts have won five league games in a row, while Shanghai Port are trying to consolidate after a patchy spell that has brought their recent performances under scrutiny.
Check out our Chengdu Rongcheng vs Shanghai Port stats and stats
why does it matter
For Chengdu Rongcheng, this is a chance to keep the momentum going and reinforce the feeling that they are becoming one of the most reliable sides in the division. A sixth straight league win would underline that their current surge is not a short-term blip.
The port of Shanghai, on the other hand, needs an answer. Their recent run has included too many draws and one damaging loss, so this game has real meaning to get them back into rhythm and confidence against one of the strongest teams in the league.
Image of the form
Chengdu Rongcheng’s league form has been unrelenting: five wins from five, with victories over Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Henan Songshan Longmen, Liaoning Tieren FC, Shanghai Shenhua and Zhejiang. The results have come in different scenarios and by different margins, suggesting that one team wins in more ways than one.
This run has also been supported in all competitions, with no sign of a drop in intensity or performance. They have been scoring freely while keeping opponents at bay, which gives their current spell a very complete look.
The recent sequence of the Shanghai Port League tells a different story. They have drawn three of their last four before the win over Wuhan Three Towns, and even that win was followed by more frustration as they struggled to turn possession into consistent results.
The bigger picture is of a team that can still produce strong attacking moments, but hasn’t been able to sustain them for long enough. The 1-3 loss to Qingdao Hainiu stands out as a reminder that their balance has been less secure than Chengdu’s.
key plot
The main tactical question is whether Shanghai Port can stop Chengdu Rongcheng’s forward approach. Chengdu have played with confidence and purpose, and their recent results suggest they are comfortable taking the game to opponents rather than waiting for openings.
Shanghai Port’s recent use of a 5-4-1 points to a more cautious and compact plan, with Leonardo leading the line and midfield asked to soak up pressure before going forward. This setup may be designed to frustrate Chengdu, but it also risks leaving Port too deep if they can’t keep the ball.
Team news
Chengdu Rongcheng have not reported any injuries this season, giving them good health at an important stage of the campaign. That stability has helped them maintain a settled feel, with the same core featured in recent lineups.
Their expected shape remains a 4-2-3-1, with Liu Dianzuo in goal and a familiar backbone built around Egor Sorokin, Rômulo and Wei Shihao. The likely selection suggests continuity rather than experimentation, which fits one side of the beat.
Shanghai Port are without Matt Orr due to a knee injury, which reduces their options and adds to the feeling that they can once again rely on a controlled defensive structure. Yan Junling is expected to start behind a back line that has recently been created to protect rather than dominate.
The likely 5-4-1 would leave Leonardo as the main outlet, with Mateus Vital and Zhang Yuan among those tasked with linking play from midfield. If Port do make changes, they are more likely to be about restoring solidity than chasing a more open contest.
(tactical battle)
The key area is likely to be Chengdu’s attacking midfield against Shanghai Port’s defensive block. If Chengdu can move the ball quickly between the lines, they should be able to force Port’s back five into repeated decisions and create pressure around the box.
Port’s best route is probably to keep the game tight and make Chengdu work for every opening. If they can’t, the hosts’ current confidence and fluidity could make this a long evening for the visitors.
Tactical battle
The tactical landscape is likely to be shaped by the latest available lineups: 4-2-3-1 for Chengdu Rongcheng and 5-4-1 for Shanghai Port. The key area is how each side balances their expected form with the opponent’s recent pace.
Recent Meetings
The recent head-to-head record strongly favors Chengdu Rongcheng, who have won four of the last five meetings, including a 4-1 home win and a 3-1 home win in 2025. Shanghai Port’s only success in that streak came in May 2024.
Journalist’s opinion
It looks like a meeting between a side in full flow and another that is still trying to rediscover its best level. Chengdu Rongcheng have the momentum, the cleanest team news and the most convincing recent results, making them the most determined team heading into the match.
Shanghai Port have enough quality to make it uncomfortable, especially if they can hold their shape and deny space early on. But unless they can improve their control in midfield and stay compact for long periods, Chengdu’s current form suggests the hosts are well placed to dictate the game.
prediction
Chengdu Rongcheng look like the most likely winners, with their form and recent head-to-head record pointing towards another strong performance at home.
