Bitesize Prediction: Henan Songshan Longmen vs Shanghai Shenhua – 21/05/24

Competition: Chinese Super League

Market: Shanghai Shenhua win

Odds: 8/15 @ BetUS

Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the Chinese Super League standings, Shanghai Shenhua will travel to the Hanghai Stadium when they meet Henan Songshan on Tuesday lunchtime.

Starting with the hosts, while Henan might have signed off April with a much needed boost, the Red Devils have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen over the weekend putting in another worrying performance as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at home against Wuhan Three Towns, Nam Ki-il’s side will certainly be bracing themselves for another heavyweight challenge here. Opening May with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, the Zhengzhou-based outfit have lost all of their previous four Super League appearances on the bounce. With their nightmare rut underlined by an action-packed 4-2 defeat against Chengdu Rongcheng on May 10th, Tuesday’s hosts have also continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues. Along with shipping 13 goals on their four-match losing rut, Henan have also conceded at least a pair of strikes in all of their last five outings. Likewise, losing back-to-back showdowns at the Hanghai Stadium, the Red Devils are rightfully pencilled in as a major underdog in midweek.

As for the visitors, while Shanghai might have eventually fallen short in their bid to book an AFC Champions League ticket last season, Leonid Slutsky’s men are enjoying a real flurry this time around. Last seen putting in another rugged performance as they secured a 2-0 victory at home against Qingdao Hainlu, the one-time Hull boss finds his squad leading the chase at the top of the Super League table. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, the Blues have not suffered a single defeat from any of their opening 12 top-flight appearances and they will certainly be smelling the chance to make another statement of intent here. Already putting 30 points on the board and tipped as a leading title contender in 2024, Tuesday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their defensive steel. Along with recording four Super League clean sheets on the bounce, Shanghai have also conceded just a single goal over the past five weeks. Opening May with consecutive 4-0 romps against Zhejiang Professional and Cangzhou, we are backing an away victory here.

Bet: Shanghai Shenhua 8/15 to beat Henan Songshan Longmen in Tuesday’s Chinese Super League matchup @ BetUS