Competition: Chinese Super League

Market: Shanghai Shenhua win

Odds: 4/7 @ 888sport

Looking to extend on their stellar start to the 2023 Super League campaign, Shanghai Shenhua will make the trip to a struggling Shenzhen on Tuesday lunchtime.

Starting with the hosts, while Shenzhen might have opened the 2023 Super League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against Qingdao Hainiu on April 16th, it appears that could have been nothing more than a minor boost for Chen Tao’s squad. Last seen putting in another toothless display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Cangzhou, the Phoenix are in the midst of a four-match winless run and will be more than aware that they face another huge challenge on Tuesday lunchtime. Only just about clinging to their top-flight status last season and appearing destined for another bottom-half scrap this time around, Shenzhen have also taken just a single point on their four-match rut. Signing off April with a 2-0 loss at home against Tianjin Jinmen, Tao’s men have shown some extended issues in the final third. It should be noted, Tuesday’s hosts have recorded just one goal in over 300 minutes of action.

As for the visitors, while Shanghai Shenhua might have been forced to settle for their own bottom-half finish last season, the Blues have certainly come flying out of the traps this time around. Last seen putting in another rugged display on home soil as they claimed a 1-0 victory against Dalian Pro, Wu Jingui’s side should be smelling the chance to make another Super League statement here. In fact, along with opening the 2023 campaign with a 1-0 win against Shandong Taishan on April 16th, the midweek guests have collected 13 points from their first five top-flight appearances. Quickly gaining a reputation for their rugged defensive displays and shipping just a single strike on their five-match flurry, Shanghai should also be excited by a stellar record against the Super League strugglers. Picking up a 2-0 win when they last met Shenzhen on December 29th, it should be noted that Jingui’s men are unbeaten in each of their previous seven meetings.

Bet: Shanghai Shenhua to beat Shenzhen in Tuesday’s Chinese Super League battle @ 888sport