Shanghai SIPG vs Shenzhen FC Prediction: Giving The Visitors A Slight Chance To Score At Least A Goal

Due to their significant point deficit and need to catch up to first-place leaders Wuhan Three Towns, Shanghai SIPG title pursuit is gradually coming to an end as they play hosts to Shenzhen FC at the Dalian Sports Center Stadium.

Will Shanghai SIPG be able to record a 6th consecutive victory against Shenzhen FC or will they be met with a heartbreaking defeat?

Form: DWWLD

With time not on their side as they look to get back into form, the hosts have gone two games without a win now as they go up against Shenzhen FC, with whom they share a similar fate. 

Being held to a 1-1 draw last time out against Dalian Pro wasn't part of their game plan, as they envisioned walking away with all points on deck, and in return, a lack of focus and leaving their defense unguarded saw them share a point each.

In their last five games, they suffered one defeat against Wuhan Three Towns on a 1-0 scoreline and have collected 6 points in the process from 3 draws and one win, and this season has been nothing but an unpredictable one for them.

A small glimmer of optimism may yet exist since they may at least triumph over the visitors, who they have previously dominated in matches. And perhaps in this game, they can re-establish their offensive and defensive prowess from the previous season.

Form: LWWLL

They are undoubtedly completely taken aback by the position they currently occupy after finishing in a pretty admirably demonstrated second place in their previous season to qualify for the AFC Champions League, where they made an exit in the quarterfinals after being knocked-out by Shanghai Shenhua.

It was a match full of tension and frustration as they were severely outplayed by the visitors in their most recent match against Hangzhou Greentown, and as a result, they were unable to score, with only 5 attempts made without any of them converting, and as a result, they lost 2-0.

In their previous five matches, in which they bagged two victories and three losses, they had been quite a reliable side, if not unreliable, in their recent five matches.

This is undoubtedly their chance to make up for all the hardships they've endured from the hosts in previous matches, to pick up the pace and record a victory without reflecting on their disappointing loss. They are currently in 10th place on 16 points, one point behind Shanghai SIPG, who are in ninth place.

• Shenzhen FC gives up 1.5 goals each game on average.
• Shanghai SIPG has gone 5 games against Shenzhen FC without losing, with each game ending in a win for them.
• Shanghai SIPG averages 1.40 points per game when playing at home.

There have been 6 meetings between this two sides with Shanghai SIPG winning all 5 matches, while 1 ended in a draw.

Goals must be the first choice for either team in this game, as intriguing as it may be, but there are lingering questions about how many goals will be scored by either side during this contest.

As of now, Shanghai SIPG has played 11 games and scored 11 goals, compared to Shenzhen FC's 15 goals, which may contribute to the number of goals that can be anticipated in this encounter.

The past head-to-head matches can attest to the hosts' ability to win this one handily, and they are anticipated to rise to the occasion and do so. But in either case, they can expect a difficult journey because it is impossible to overlook the visitors' thirst for success.

Shanghai SIPG have been lacking at the back lately and by the way things stand, the visitors could find themselves in the scoresheet too, though they are not one to score many goals but this time around I expect them to find the back of the net during this clash.

Though there's a bit of slight doubt in goals, going for the long haul to see more than 2+ goals scored in this match won't be a worst case scenario as four of their last six meetings have ended in more than 3 goals being scored.

• Total 2 - Over 0.5 for 1.72
• Goals - Over 2.5 for 1.92
• Both Teams To Score (Yes) for 2.05