Shanghai Port will be looking for a third consecutive victory when they welcome Chengdu Rongcheng to the Shanghai Stadium on Thursday in round 18 of the 2022 Chinese Super League campaign.
On the other hand Rongcheng will be seeking to return to winning ways having been denied a third victory in a row last time out.
Shanghai Port got the better of Guangzhou City through a comfortable 2-0 victory when the sides met at the Changchun Stadium on Sunday. Shengchao Wang opened the scoring just past the half-hour mark before Cheriff Ndiaye doubled his side’s advantage ten minutes later.
Consequently, Ivan Leko’s side have moved up to fourth place in the league standings, two points behind city rivals Shanghai Shenhua in the race for the last continental spot.
Next up for the Red Eagles is a first ever meeting against an opposing side featuring in their maiden top-flight campaign since 2018, when they were formed.
Having won three of their four most recent matches on home turf without conceding, Shanghai Port will be aiming to put on a solid display at both ends of the pitch once again.
Meanwhile, Chengdu Rongcheng had to mate do with a share of the spoils in Sunday’s game against Henan Songshan Longmen, which ended in a goalless draw.
The Sichuan-based side were in the ascendancy for majority of the game but failed to find the all-important breakthrough needed to pick up all three points.
Missing out on an opportunity to climb up to sixth place, Seo Jung-won’s side find themselves in eighth place in the table, four places and three points behind their upcoming opponents.
Currently boasting the third-best record away from home in the division so far this season, Chengdu Rongcheng will be looking to add another feather in the cap on the road.
Shanghai Port vs Chengdu Rongcheng head to head
These two teams have not previously met on any occasion and this will be their first meeting in the Chinese Super League.
Shanghai Port latest home form
Shanghai Port have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their eight most recent matches. They defeated Guangzhou City 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded two.
Shanghai Port 0-1 Wuhan Three Towns 12/07/22
Shanghai Port 2-0 Shenzhen 16/08/22
Shanghai Port 1-1 Zhejiang Professional 20/08/22
Shanghai Port 1-0 Tianjin JMT 27/08/22
Shanghai Port 2-0 Guangzhou City 25/09/22
Shanghai Port latest away form
Shanghai Port have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They defeated Henan SSLM 2-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded three.
Wuhan Yangtze 1-2 Shanghai Port 25/06/22
Guangzhou FC 0-1 Shanghai Port 08/07/22
Dalian Pro 1-1 Shanghai Port 06/08/22
Cangzhou Mighty Lions 0-0 Shanghai Port 01/09/22
Henan SSLM 1-2 Shanghai Port 20/09/22
Chengdu Rongcheng latest home form
Chengdu Rongcheng have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Henan SSLM in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded four.
Rongcheng 0-0 Meizhou Hakka 20/06/22
Rongcheng 2-2 Shenzhen 26/06/22
Rongcheng 1-1 Cangzhou Mighty Lions 04/07/22
Rongcheng 2-1 Tianji JMT 08/07/22
Rongcheng 0-0 Henan SSLM 25/09/22
Chengdu Rongcheng latest away form
Chengdu Rongcheng have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their 10 most recent matches. They defeated Changchun Yatai 1-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.
Guangzhou FC 1-2 Rongcheng 12/08/22
Shanghai Shenhua 0-2 Rongcheng 17/08/22
Shandong TaiShan 2-1 Rongcheng 21/08/22
Guangzhou City 1-2 Rongcheng 27/08/22
Changchun Yatai 0-1 Rongcheng 01/09/22
Shanghai Port news
With just one appearance since the turn of the year, Ablahan Haliq remains ruled out for Shanghai Port as he continues to battle with a long-term muscle issue.
24-year-old Huachen Zhang is now available for feature in the hosts’ starting lineup after missing out in the victory over Guangzhou through suspension.
Chengdu Rongcheng news
Chengdu Rongcheng midfielder Tim Chow is set to return to action in this contest having served a one-game suspension against Henan Songshan Longmen.
Despite coming off with a first-half injury against Changchun Yatai, Richard Windbichler last the full 90 minutes last time out and is expected to retain his place here.
Prediction and Odds
These two teams head into the contest on a decent run of results and we are expecting a tough and end-to-end affair with both sides seeking to claim all three points.
That said, we are also tipping Shanghai Port to come away with a narrow victory at the end of the 90 minutes.
Odds: 1 2.23 X 2.02 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Shanghai Port 1-0 Rongcheng
Shanghai Port 2-0 Rongcheng
Shanghai Port 2-1 Rongcheng
Shanghai Port 3-2 Rongcheng
Shanghai Port 1-1 Rongcheng
