Qingdao West Coast vs Chengdu Rongcheng Predictions
Qingdao West Coast take on league leaders Chengdu on Friday in one of the standout CSL fixtures this week.
Both teams have been entertaining to watch this season, and goals at both ends looks likely.
I have my stake on BTTS, while I also expect more than three goals scored.
Goals Expected in Qingdao
- Qingdao West Coast have seen BTTS in 11 of their last 12 matches
- Qingdao West Coast have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches (CSL)
- Chengdu have seen BTTS in their last 4 matches against Qingdao West Coast
- Chengdu have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 4 away matches (CSL)
Chengdu Unbeaten in Qingdao H2H
Qingdao and Chengdu have met on five previous occasions. Chengdu claimed two victories, while three games finished level.
Chengdu secured a comfortable 5-1 win in the reverse encounter in April, while last season's meeting in Qingdao finished 2-2.
Qingdao Look to Bounce Back
Qingdao West Coast return to home comforts, looking to bounce back after last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Shenzhen Peng City. Three goals conceded in a 25-minute spell either side of half-time ensured a miserable journey home for Zhi Zheng’s men.
Goals from Yao Junsheng, Yang Yiming and Gabriel Xavier secured all three points for the hosts.
Peng City were deserved winners, registering 19 attempts and a final xG of 3.37.
Last weekend’s reversal ended a five-match unbeaten CSL streak, with Zheng Zhi's side picking up 11 points from those fixtures.
Currently sixth in the Super League, the hosts have proven tough to beat in home games this season. West Coast are unbeaten in nine CSL matches at Guzhenkou University Sports Center this season (W3, D6).
Chengdu Held by CSL Newcomers
Chengdu Rongcheng arrive in Qingdao after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tongliang Long last weekend. Felipe Silva’s tenth goal of the season opened the scoring before Nany Dimata’s second-half goal secured a shock point for the visitors.
The CSL leaders had dominated the contest and would have been frustrated not to collect all three points. Chengdu had 64% possession, 13 efforts on goal and an xG of 2.43, but were unable to capitalise against the CSL newcomers.
Despite dropping points in their last two Super League matches, John Aloisi's side retain a huge 14-point lead at the top of the division.
Strong on the road, Rongcheng won six and lost just one of nine away CSL games this season.
Still, clean sheets on their travels have been rare. Chengdu conceded 12 goals in those nine away fixtures.
Qingdao West Coast vs Chengdu Rongcheng Team News
Qingdao West Coast (4-2-3-1): Li Hao; Dong Yu, Samir Memisevic, Peng Wang, Wang Gengrui; Zhang Xiuwei, Zhang Chengdong; Nelson Da Luz, Peng Xinli, Davidson; Abdul-Aziz Yakubu.
Zhi Zheng could make some changes to his first XI this week. Rezende is set to miss out after limping out of last week’s defeat at Shenzhen Peng City. Peng Wang is tipped to come into the side.
Chengdu (4-2-3-1): Liu Dianzuo; He Yiran, Han Pengfei, Egor Sorokin, Hu Hetao; Yang Mingyang, Liao Lisheng; Wellington Silva, Romulo, Alexandru Cîmpanu; Felipe.
Head coach Aloisi has no reported injury issues ahead of Chengdu’s trip to Qingdao.
Romanian midfielder Alexandru Cîmpanu is in contention to earn a recall after a second-half substitute appearance last weekend.