Dalian Pro vs Shanghai Port FC Prediction: The New Champions Of The Super League Still Have Unfinished Business

The 2022–23 China Super League reaches its climax with a showdown of titanic proportions as Dalian Pro and reigning champions Shanghai Port FC clash on the hallowed turf of Dalian Sports Center Stadium.

Form: DLLDL

With news of Nantong Zhiyun's win over Meizhou Hakka on the same day, they managed to salvage a crucial point against Qingdao Hainiu away from home in a nail-biting 2-2 draw. This has placed the Blue Hawks in a precarious position in the standings, where relegation to the second tier is an inevitable failure to pick up maximum points in this clash.

Having avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth in the 2021–22 season, it seems the Blue Hawks will need the same stroke of luck to strike them once again this season, as only two points separate them from safety. The Blue Hawks have gone seven games without a win in the league, recording five losses and two draws.

With 20 points collected from 29 matches played so far, Dalian Pro occupy 15th place within the relegation zone and are two points behind safety; however, securing maximum points will go a long way in their tiny hopes of avoiding relegation.

Form: DLWLW

Javier Pereira has walked the walk and talked the talk, as he has lived up to his bold statement since day one that he is all about winning titles and nothing less after taking over from Croatia's Ivan Leko as a long-term replacement to guide the 2018 Champions to purple patches this season.

Indeed, he has guided the Red Eagles to purple patches this season, as a 1-1 draw over Shandong Taishan in front of their home fans witnessed them clinch the 2023 Chinese Super League title with one round remaining. However, it wasn't an easy journey, as a floundering performance along the way almost jeopardized their chances of achieving such a feat, having picked up two wins in eight league matches alongside four losses and two draws.

With 60 points collected from 29 matches played so far, Shanghai Port sits first in the Chinese Super League standings and has maintained a five-point advantage over second-placed Shandong Taishan.

• Dalian Pro have not scored more than two goals in their 29 matches played so far in the Super League.
• Shanghai Port FC have lost two of their fourteen away matches in the Super League.
• Dalian Pro averages 0.93 goals per game when playing at home, and Shanghai Port FC averages 2.14 goals per game when playing away.

In the last 17 meetings, Dalian Pro have won 3 times, Shanghai Port FC have won 8 times, and there have been 6 draws with a goal difference of 37-14 in favor of Shanghai Port FC.

Shanghai Port FC still have something to play for despite clinching the title last week Sunday, and it wouldn't be a good impression for the Champions to lose on their final match day against a side on the brink of relegation.

As such, we anticipate the Red Eagles to pick up a hard-fought win away from home combined with a total of under 3.5 goals, which should surface.

• Shanghai Port FC & Under 3.5 for 4.33
• CS - 1:2 for 10
• Total Corners - Over 9.5 for 2.00