Shandong Luneng vs Shanghai SIPG Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

As they currently sit in second position on goal difference alone, behind the league leaders, who happen to be Tuesday’s opponents, it’s fair to say that Shandong Luneng are having a pleasing campaign. Offensively, the hosts haven’t quite scaled the heights of a few of the other teams in this division, including Shanghai SIPG, though they’ve been just about the best at the other end of the pitch. Having won four of their last five at home, keeping three clean sheets in the process, Shandong Luneng have been in fine form on their own patch. Such form bodes well, especially since their opponents have struggled on their travels of late.

As thing stands, Shanghai SIPG are the league leaders, though their position at the top is in danger. They did win their last league match, but that was a first win in four for Vítor Pereira’s men, who’ve struggled to get things going on the road of late. SIPG have failed to win any of their last four travelling matches, three of which they’ve lost, while they’ve now won just one of their last six on the road. Such form is not ideal ahead of a match against a team who’re no mugs on their own patch.

If recent home performances are anything to go by, then the hosts ought to fancy their chances ahead of this match. Shanghai have not been at their best of late, so this is a good time to be facing the team who ever so narrowly head the division. What’s more, Shandong, who’re managed by Li Xiaopeng, have also done well against the better teams at home lately, as their 3-0 battering of Beijing Guoan suggests. A similar performance on Tuesday should be enough for the hosts to leapfrog their opponents.

Shanghai are the current league leaders, and they do have a more than useful side, a side that contains players such as Brazilian pair Oscar and Hulk, though they’ve not be thriving of late, while the hosts have been in fine form. Given their form of late, especially at home, it’s a surprise that Shandong aren’t a good bit shorter in the betting. They’re just about the best defensive unit in the division, and they’ve made a habit of making that sturdy rear-guard pay on home soil.

With three clean sheets in their last five at home, the hosts are fancied to fend off the visitors before making them pay at the other end. Shanghai are without a clean sheet in four on their travels and it’s fair to say that they’ve struggled to keep teams out during that run.