Nantong Zhiyun FC vs Shandong Taishan Prediction: Nutcracker Taishan Dui To Crack This Tough Nut Once And For All!

Nantong Zhiyun FC welcomes Shandong Taishan to the Rugao Olympic Sports Center Stadium in the 17th round of the Super League.

Let's have a look at the latest Chinese Super League predictions between Nantong Zhiyun FC vs Shandong Taishan, probable lineups, match facts, and betting odds for you to consider!

Note: Odds are subject to change at any time!

Nantong Zhiyun FC

Form: DDDLL

Starting with the hosts, Nantong Zhiyun found themselves held to a 1:1 draw in front of their supporters against a floundering side, Dalian Pro, to share the spoils.

In that match, neither side could find a break in the first half to play out a goalless draw. David Puclin got the party up and running in the second half as he put his side ahead in the 51st minute, and with what could have been a winning goal for them supposedly ruled out for offside in the 65th minute, which was a bit unfortunate for Gui Hong, the scoreline was level in the 79th minute, and neither side had any response whatsoever after that.

With that draw, they extended their unbeaten run in the Super League to three matches, where they've been a resilient side to hold Tianjin Teda and Meizhou Hakka to a draw. Though three points have been accumulated, their form in the last five matches has not been convincing to the eye, which, simply put, means they've been in poor form as they have yet to win any of those matches, picking up two losses in addition.

In the standings, they presently occupy fourteenth place with 12 points and are one point ahead of the relegation zone, while they are three points adrift of twelfth place.

Team News

Nantong Zhiyun FC manager Gabri has no injury concerns to be worried about other than Honduran international Rubilio Castillo, who remains doubtful coming into this game having taken no part in the last four involvements.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 3-4-3

X. Shi; W. Liu, Bressan, H. Liu; Y. Shinar, S. Wang, D. Puclin, L. Morelatto; Z.L. Jiang, G. Hong, R. Baldé

Shandong Taishan

Form: WWDWD

As for the visitors, revenge was indeed a dish best served cold for Choi Kang-hee's men, who in their recent match against resilient Shanghai Shenhua at home easily romped to a 3:0 triumph in a match where their impressive display was driven by their 1:0 loss in the reverse fixture.

Jadson put his side ahead in the opening 20 minutes, only for Chen Pu to double the lead eight minutes later, and Marouane Fellaini's strike in the 34th minute was the icing on the cake to confirm their early triumph. The second half was a matter of firing blanks on both ends of the pitch.

With that win, they remain one of the two sides yet to suffer defeat at home this season. There's also no denying that Taishan Dui have been in exceptional form, compensating for their slow start to the season by avoiding defeat in their last twelve matches across all competitions, picking up seven wins and five draws.

In the standings, they presently occupy fourth place with 28 points, level on points with Tianjin Teda in fifth place, and their bid for a second-place finish is hampered by a three-point deficit.

Team News

Crysan still remains doubtful coming into this game.

Other than that, manager Choi Kang-hee has no injury concerns to be worried about coming into this game owing to a completely healthy group.

Probable Starting XI

Formation: 4-1-4-1

D. Wang; T. Wang, Jadson, Z. Zheng, Y. Liu; L. Liao; B. Liu, M. Magalhães, Y. Li, P. Chen; M. Fellaini

Match Facts

• Nantong Zhiyun FC are on a five-match winless run in the Super League.
• Shandong Taishan are winless in their last five away matches in the Super League.
• Nantong Zhiyun FC averages 0.88 goals per game when playing at home, and Shandong Taishan averages 1.11 goals per game when playing away.

Head-To-Head

The last meeting between these two sides was in the second round of the current CSL season, where both sides shared a point apiece after playing out a 1:1 draw at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

In the last 2 meetings, Nantong Zhiyun FC has won 0 times, Shandong Taishan has won 1 times, and there has been 1 draw.

Expert Betting Tips

Nantong Zhiyun may be winless in their last five matches in the Super League, but there's no denying that their three-match unbeaten streak where they've opted for draws has definitely marked them as a resilient side that can stand their ground when the need arises. Recall that this is a side that held Shandong Taishan to a 1:1 draw in the second round of the CSL, which won't come as a surprise if they were to replicate the same result in front of their supporters.

Excitement levels are high in Shandong Taishan's camp due to their eleven-match unbeaten run in the Super League, which has been beneficial to their cause of climbing up the standings. However, lurking in sight that could jeopardize their excitement is their away form, which for a side of their caliber has been cause for concern as they are winless in their last five matches, making for a more improved showing from them moving forward.

Shandong Taishan are three points away from claiming second place in the standings, and that should serve as motivation to see them clinch a hard-fought win away from home. As such, we anticipate Taishan Dui to make a quick start in the first half by picking them up to get the better of their opponents in the half-time (1x2) market.

• Half-time Result - Shandong Taishan for 1.90
• Total - Over 2.5 for 1.86
• Both Teams To Score - Yes for 2.13