Explore My Football Facts detailed preview for Shandong Taishan vs Shanghai Shenhua in Super League. Stats, odds, predictions and line-ups for the 12:35 BST match.
Shandong Taishan come into this game in mixed league form, but have been competitive in most of their last games and have scored in four of their last five. Shanghai Shenhua have the strongest run overall, with four wins in their last five league games, although they conceded three in their last outing. With no xG data available, the clearest angle is that Shenhua look the more reliable side, while Shandong Taishan still have enough attacking threat to make it a live contest.
The head-to-head record also points to goals, with the last meeting ending 3-3 and several recent encounters producing clear scores at both ends. Shandong Taishan’s home draw with Shanghai Port and away win at Tianjin Jinmen Tiger suggest they can stay in the game, but Shenhua’s recent away wins give them the edge. Match Prediction: Shandong Taishan 1-2 Shanghai Shenhua
Forms guide and team overview
Shandong Taishan
Shandong Taishan’s recent league form has been spotty, with one win, two draws and one defeat in their last four completed games, plus a 1-1 draw at home to West Coast Qingdao. They beat Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 2-1 away and Henan Songshan Longmen 1-0, showing they can still get results on the road.
The concern is the 1-4 loss to Qingdao Hainiu, which stands out as the strongest score of this run. However, they have scored in four of their last five league games, so they are not short of a goal.
Shandong Taishan Last 5 results
Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua arrive in better form, with four wins in their last five league games before losing 2-3 at home to Chengdu Rongcheng. Their wins against Henan Songshan Longmen, Qingdao Hainiu, Liaoning Tieren FC and Shanghai Port show a good run of results.
They have also been solid away from home in this showing, including a 3-0 win at Henan Songshan Longmen. The only recent setback was conceding three at home last time out, so there is a slight question about his defensive control.
Shanghai Shenhua Last 5 results
Team news and injury report
Shandong Taishan
- Raphaël Merkies (Thigh problems)
Shanghai Shenhua
- Saulo Mineiro (Thigh problems)
- Wu Qipeng (Thigh Trouble)
Alignments and tactical configuration
Shandong Taishan (3-4-2-1)
Expected lineup: Dalei Wang (Goalkeeper), Pedro Álvaro (Defender), Shi Songchen (Defender), Zhunyi Gao (Defender), Liuyu Duan (Midfielder), Wenneng Xie (Midfielder), Yang Liu (Midfielder), Zhengyu Huang (Midfielder), Cryzan (Attacker), Valeri Qazaishvica (Attacker), Zei (Attacker)
The 3-4-2-1 predicted for Shandong Taishan should give them a solid foundation, with the full-backs helping them progress the ball and support attacks from wide areas. Cryzan and Valeri Qazaishvili can operate between the lines behind the striker, which should give them options if they can get enough service into advanced areas.
Shanghai Shenhua (4-2-3-1)
Expected lineup: Xue Qinghao (Goalkeeper), Chenjie Zhu (Defender), Shinichi Chan (Defender), Shunkai Jin (Defender), Wilson Manafá (Defender), Haijian Wang (Midfielder), João Carlos Teixeira (Midfielder), Rafael Ratão (Midfielder), Tianyi Gao (Midfielder), Xi Wu (Midfielder), Xi Wu (Midfielder)
Shanghai Shenhua’s predicted 4-2-3-1 looks set to maintain a compact shape in midfield, while supporting Makhtar Gueye from the three attacking midfielders. With Haijian Wang and João Carlos Teixeira anchoring the middle, they should have a platform to control spells and go forward efficiently.
