Henan vs Shanghai Port Predictions
Both teams struggle to keep clean sheets, and I expect that pattern to continue this weekend.
BTTS is my best bet, while I also have a stake on a BTTS/Over 2.5 goals double.
Goals Expected in Zhengzhou
- Henan have seen BTTS in 2 of their last 3 CSL matches
- Henan have seen BTTS in 9 of their last 10 matches against Shanghai Port
- Shanghai Port have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 13 of their last 15 matches against Henan
- Shanghai Port have seen BTTS in 7 of their last 8 matches
Shanghai Port Hold Strong H2H Record
Henan and Shanghai Port have met nine times since 2019. Shanghai Port claimed six victories, while Henan secured three wins.
Henan claimed a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Henan Looking to Build Momentum
Henan come into Saturday’s fixture looking to build on a 2-0 win at Lushan in the CFA Cup last weekend. Second-half goals from Liu Jiahui and Zhong Yihao secured domestic cup progression for Daniel Ramos’s side.
The Red Devils have been in decent form, winning five and losing just two of their last eight fixtures.
That run has helped Henan recover after a poor start to the season, with Ramos’s men having failed to win eight of their first nine matches.
At the midway point in the campaign, Henan sit 11th in the division, three points above Shanghai.
A 2-1 road win against the CSL champions earlier this season should give Ramos’s side confidence this weekend. Still, home inconsistencies have seen the hosts win three and lose three of seven games at Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium.
Shanghai Port Searching for Consistency
CSL champions Shanghai Port make the trip to Zhengzhou after an underwhelming first half of the Chinese Super League season.
Kevin Muscat’s side return to league action after a narrow 2-1 CFA Cup win against Shanghai Second last weekend. Goals from Zhang Linpeng and Liu Zhurun secured progress to the next round for the Red Eagles.
The two-in-a-row CSL champions have struggled for consistency in the Super League this season. The visitors have won just one of their last seven league fixtures, with defensive issues remaining the biggest concern.
Since March, Port have kept just two clean sheets. As a consequence of their leaky rearguard, BTTS has landed in all but four of their last 16 fixtures.
Fifteen games into the Super League season, Muscat’s men sit 14th in the division, just four points above the relegation zone.
Henan vs Shanghai Port Team News
Henan (4-2-3-1) Wang Guoming; Liu Yixin, Lucas Maia, Iago Maidana, Yeljan Shinar; Wang Shangyuan, Huang Ruifeng; Bruno Nazario, Zhong Yihao, Jordi Mboula; Gustavo
Henan have a full squad available for Saturday’s CSL contest. Changjie Du could come into the side after appearing from the bench last time out.
Gustavo is expected to lead the attack, with Bruno Nazario, Zhong Yihao and Jordi Mboula likely to provide support in the final third.
Shanghai Port (4-3-3) Yan Junling; Wang Shenchao, Jiang Guangtai, Zhang Linpeng, Li Shuai; Matheus Jussa, Oscar Melendo, Mateus Vital; Wu Lei, Leonardo, Gabrielzinho
Shanghai Port travel to Zhengzhou with several injury concerns. Gabrielzinho and Jean Claude remain sidelined, while Jiwen Kuai and Tyias Browning are also unavailable.
Yuan Zhang is also doubtful to feature due to a muscle issue.