Nantong Zhiyun FC vs Shanghai Shenhua Prediction: The Flower of Shanghai Will Blossom In This Clash

Nantong Zhiyun FC will welcome Shanghai Shenhua to the Rugao Olympic Sports Center Stadium in the 28th round of the Super League.

With a two-match winning streak in this fixture, Shanghai Shenhua will seek to record their third consecutive win this time away from home with the intention of consolidating their third spot in the Super League table.

Let's have a look at the latest Chinese Super League predictions between Nantong Zhiyun FC vs. Shanghai Shenhua, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Nantong Zhiyun FC

Form: LLLLW

Nantong Zhiyun are enduring a rough patch in the league where, in the twelfth hour, they must deliver a radiant rescue to avoid relegation. Before the international break, they confronted a juggernaut Shanghai Port at home and, as expected, dropped points in a 1-0 defeat.

Since a 1-0 win over Shenzhen away from home on August 19th, which also halted an eleven-match winless run, it seems they are once again back in the grind after sub-par performances, which currently have them on a five-match losing run in all competitions, and not only that, as finding the back of the net has been an elusive endeavor, failing to score in three of those matches.

Despite playing on familiar grounds, they have suffered fatal wounds, as they are not only on a four-match losing streak at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center Stadium but are winless in seven matches, and nothing much can be expected from them in this one.

They currently occupy 15th place within the relegation zone, with 19 points level with 14th-placed Dalian Pro and seven points clear of Shenzhen, anchored to the bottom of the table in 16th place.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Q. Xue; L. Wei, W. Liu, Bressan, H. Liu; K. Cao, L. Morelatto; H. Zheng, M.Y. Yang, R. Baldé; R. Castillo

Shanghai Shenhua

Form: WWLDL

Shanghai Shenhua, on the other hand, were successful in their home match against Qingdao Hainiu, as a Yunding Cao strike from the penalty spot in the 29th minute ensured they picked up three points in a 1-0 triumph, extending their winning run at home to two matches after defeating Cangzhou Mighty Lions 2-0 before this.

The Flower of Shanghai has lost one of their five matches across all competitions while recording three wins and a draw in the process. With confidence high as they are on a two-match winning run in the league, they'll undeniably want to pick up their third consecutive win against a side they won 1-0 against this season in what was their first meeting after three years.

On foreign territory, their victory dance is a rare sight, having won just one of their six matches, a 2-1 win against Wuhan Three Towns on August 13th, alongside four losses and a draw. It's also worth noting that they are currently on a two-match losing streak, though the tide is about to turn for the better despite being inconsistent.

They currently occupy third place with 48 points in the standings, with fourth-placed Zhejiang Professional and three points behind second-placed Shandong Taishan.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-5-2

Y. Bao; Y. Zhu, E. Francis, S. Jin; M. Hing-Glover, H. Wang, I. Amadou, X. Wu, H. Yu; Y.D. Cao, C. Malele

Match Facts

• Nantong Zhiyun FC have failed to score in three consecutive home matches in the Super League.
• Shanghai Shenhua have scored more than two goals in one of their thirteen away matches in the Super League.
• Nantong Zhiyun FC averages 0.69 goals per game when playing at home, and Shanghai Shenhua averages 1.08 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

In the last 3 meetings, Nantong Zhiyun FC have won 1 time, Shanghai Shenhua have won 2 times, and there have been 0 draws, with the goal difference being 5-4 in favor of Shanghai Shenhua.

Expert Betting Tips

For Nantong Zhiyun, their fate hangs by a thread, and now it's down to delivering a compelling performance in the latter stages of the season to change the course. Their quest starts with picking up a positive result in this clash, though signs point to a challenging situation after losing two consecutive matches.

Shanghai Shenhua have accidentally hit the repeat button as they could lose out on yet another top-three finish despite being at an advantage as Zhejiang Professional lurk close by, ready to pounce on them at the sight of a misstep, and there's no denying that they'll want to be at their best performance away from home to avoid such a cruel fate from happening.

As such, we anticipate the visitors to extend their winning streak against the home side to three matches by picking them up in the full-time market.

• W2 for 1.92
• Goals - Under 2.5 for 1.65
• Both Teams To Score - No for 1.79