Shanghai SIPG vs Guangzhou Evergrande Predictions

Guangzhou’s fine run of form continued last time out when they edged their way past title rivals Beijing Guoan in front of a home crowd. That match may have been tough, but this fixture against the current league leaders will be even harder.

The visitors may be a team in form at present, but they’re not the only ones. Shanghai SIPG, who’re currently a point clear at the top of the Chinese Super League, are also ticking along very nicely. Tuesday’s hosts are now unbeaten in six, five of which they’ve won, while they arrive at this juncture off the back of a confidence-boosting 5-2 win on their travels.

In front of a home crowd is where the hosts have really thrived this season, as they’ve won eight of their ten matches at Shanghai Stadium, scoring 27 and conceding just seven in the process. With just seven conceded, Vítor Pereira’s men have the best home defensive record in this division. That said, Shanghai have lost only one home match against a top-four team this season, losing by two goals to Beijing Guoan back in May.

Just as Shanghai have done on their own patch, the visitors have done well on their travels. Only two teams have accumulated more points on the road than Guangzhou, while they’ve scored an impressive 23 goals when playing away from the comforts of home. That said, Fabio Cannavaro’s men have conceded fifteen goals in their ten away matches, while they’ve shut out their opponents in just three of those.

The visitors do come into this game off the back of beating Shandong Luneng, who’re just five points behind the league leaders, by four goals to one in their last away match, though their defensive record is a bit of a worry, especially since they’ve conceded three goals in two away games against the better teams during the current campaign.

From a betting point of view, though we’re talking about two of the best teams in the division, or the two best according to the league table, it’s very easy to make a case for one over the other. On home soil Shanghai have been very, very tough to get the better of, while the visitors have struggled to keep things tight on their travels. The extra defensive stability that Pereira’s men seemingly have could make all the difference.

If the hosts can continue to keep things tight at the back, then they ought to do very well, as they’re unlikely to be without scoring opportunities against a Guangzhou team that continues to be very open. All things considered, with home advantage and a stronger back-line, the hosts merit stronger favouritism and are thus a good bet at the current prices.