Shandong Taishan vs Shanghai Port Predictions & Tips - Goals on the Cards in CFA Cup Clash

Both teams are in good form, and a likely competitive contest should deliver in the goal markets.

I have stakes on BTTS and over 2.5 goals on Tuesday. 

Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Port have met on 14 occasions since 2020. Shandong won five of those contests, while Shanghai claimed four victories.

Five matches finished as draws.

Shandong come into Tuesday’s CFA Cup clash in high spirits after an impressive 3-2 road victory against Shanghai Shenhua on Friday.

Maiwulang Mijiti gave Shandong an early lead, but Rafael Ratao and Luis Asue turned the game around before half-time.

Cryzan levelled from the spot before Raphael Merkies struck four minutes later to complete a superb comeback win.

In an entertaining encounter, Taishan just about deserved their victory. The visitors registered 14 efforts, generating an xG of 2.32, while Shenhua’s 19 shots produced a final xG total of 1.70.

High-scoring outcomes have been frequent for Shandong. An average of 3.80 goals per game were scored in their last 21 competitive fixtures since April. Sixteen of those fixtures finished with BTTS. 

The home side have enjoyed a strong run of form in recent weeks, picking up four victories from their last five fixtures.  Taishan have also performed well in Jinan this season, winning seven and losing only two of their 12 home league fixtures.

Their CFA Cup campaign began with a comfortable 5-0 victory at Guangxi Hengchen before a penalty shootout victory against Wuhan in the round of sixteen. 

Shanghai Port make the trip to Jinan after grinding out a 1-0 victory against Shenzhen Peng City on Friday.

In an evenly balanced and tight encounter, Kuai Jiwen’s 81st-minute goal secured the points for Kevin Muscat’s side. 

The visitors enjoyed 57% possession and registered ten attempts, including six on target, as they claimed their fourth victory in five matches.

Clean sheets have been rare for Muscat’s men. They had conceded at least one goal in 12 of 13 previous fixtures. An average of 2.92 goals per game was scored in those fixtures. 

Port are now unbeaten in five games since suffering a 1-0 home defeat against Shandong at the start of August. Shanghai have since scored victories against Chongqing Tonglianglong, Wuhan Three Towns, Qingdao Hainiu and Shenzhen, with a 1-1 draw against Dalian Yingbo their only dropped points in that period. 

The CSL champions required penalties to secure their place in Monday’s quarter-final, eventually edging past Shenzhen Peng City after a 1-1 draw in the previous round.

Shandong Taishan: (3-4-3) Yu Jinyong; Yang Ruiqi, Pedro Alvaro, Liu Yang; Maiwulang Mijiti, Jiaxi Yin, Imran Memet, Chen Pu; Cryzan, Zeca, Valeri Qazaishvili

Tang Tian is likely to retain much of the side that claimed Friday’s impressive victory against Shanghai Shenhua.

Experienced Georgian forward Valeri Qazaishvili is set to lead the attack. The Shandong forward has scored five goals in 27 appearances this season.

The hosts have no reported injury issues. 

Shanghai Port: (4-2-3-1) Yan Junling; Wang Zhen'ao, Wei Zhen, Zhang Linpeng, Li Shuai; Jean Claude, Kuai Jiwen; Li Xinxiang, Oscar Melendo, Prince Ampem; Leonardo

Port boss Muscat could make one or two changes following Friday’s narrow victory in Shenzhen.

Wu Lei made an immediate impact from the bench by assisting Kuai Jiwen’s winner and could earn a recall to the starting XI. 

Leonardo should continue to lead the attack, with Oscar Melendo and Prince Ampem also expected to start.