This weekend will be an action packed one! The Super League never stops to surprise and entertain us and we are certain round 22 will be no different. There are some fixtures that are difficult to predict but we have plenty of insider information. With our statistics in one hand and our crystal ball in the other we got to work.
Friday
Beijing Guoan vs Chongqing Lifan
A difficult one to start of with. When looking at Lifan their last 6 games we see W,L,W,L,W,L which doesn’t exactly make it easy on us. But the decisive factor in this fixture will probably be the recent form these teams are in.
Beijing Guoan rank 15th (out of 16) in the ‘home ladder’ so far with just 14 points in 9 home games. But 13 of those points came from their last 6 games which means they just had a bad start. With the Green Army behind them, and Lifan on a 2 away games losing streak, the Beijing side look like the home favorites here.
And we could be in for some goals in this one as there have been over 2,5 goals in Lifan’s last 7 away games.
Prediction: 2-1
Saturday
Yanbian Fude vs Shanghai SIPG
Our personal favorite for the weekend but also probably the hardest pick. If ur a gambling man you could take a shot on Yanbian as they are getting good odds against the Shanghai giants. Where normally taking that bet would seem like a waste of your money, after 21 weeks of Super League action there are only 6 points between the two sides.
Especially Yanbian have been in great form. With 5 wins in their last 6 games the newly promoted side have climbed up to 7th place and it doesn’t look like they’re coming down anytime soon. The Fude are on a 4 game winning streak at home and rank 4th in the home games ladder, in front of Shanghai SIPG.
The main strength of Yanbian is their counterattacking style of play so we can count on them to stay in front of their own goal a bit more. And with SIPG only getting around 4 shots on target in away games this season, we don’t expect to see many goals.
Prediction: 1-1
Hangzhou Greentown vs Henan Jianye
Greentown have recently suffered a big loss in the departure of Tim Cahill. With the signing of seasoned vet Sammir they have tried to fill this gap, and the results have not been too bad. The overall young Greentown squad has been unbeaten now in their last 3 home games.
Against Henan Jianye they same a big favorite. While the current overall ladder does not reflect this with Henan sitting in 9th and Hangzhou in 13th, looking at their recent home-away records tells us a lot.
Jianye did not win any (!) of their last 6 away games and with only 3 shots on target on average, we don’t see them turning this around on Saturday.
Prediction: 1-0
Shanghai Shenhua vs Guangzhou Evergrande
This is a big one. The Shanghai side were hoping to be a title contender this season, but after 21 games
these hopes have long gone as they currently sit in 4th place. The opposite can be said for Guangzhou Evergrande. They are living out their ambitions this season and look to be the certain champions once again.
But in their last 3 games the Guangzhou side only gathered 4 points while Shanghai Shenhua are on a 4 game winning streak at home, gathering 16 points in their last 6 games at home. Looking closer at some of the statistics we don’t get more confident in our prediction as it surely seems a battle of two giants that could go either way.
But taken into consideration Guangzhou Evergrande played a heavy game against Beijing Guoan earlier this week and Shenhua their 4 game winning streak, we dare to take a bit of a gamble here.
Prediction: 2-1
Shijiazhuang vs Tianjin Teda
Probably the most important fact to start with is that Tianjin Teda recently signed a new head coach who will be making his debut this weekend. It is yet to see how this will impact their strategy but as they are without a win in their last 6 games, it is clear something has to change.
One thing their new coach does not have to worry about are the set pieces. Tianjin Teda have the highest scoring rate in the league from set pieces with 11 from their 24 goals coming from standard plays.
Shijiazhuang will be desperate to keep the 3 points at home as they are currently second to last with just 3 points ahead of Changchun.
Looking closer at the statistics we may have found the deciding factor. Shijiazhuang have a hard time finding the net scoring just 16 goals this season in 21 games (11 of those at home). While Tianjin Teda has no problem finding the net in away games. With 15 of their 24 goals scored away from home it looks like they will surely get in front of goal on Saturday.
If Tianjin manages to get the first goal in then the boost they will get from this combined with the effect of a change of head coach means they just might take home the points.
Prediction: 0-1
Sunday
Changchun Yatai vs Jiangsu Suning
This seems like the easiest one to call so far. With Jiangsu being in great form it seems a matter of by how big of a difference they will win. Especially with their new signing Roger Martinez showcasing his ability to score already, Jiangsu seem like a clear cut favorite here.
So does Changchun stand any chance at home? With 9 of their total of 16 points coming from their last 6 games they do seem to be finding their groove a bit more. And as per usual all of their hope will be focussed
on just one man: Marcelo Moreno. The striker has been responsible for 9 of the total of 16 Changchun goals. Only if they manage to get the ball to Moreno in some good positions Changchun could be able to give Jiangsu a run for their money.
Prediction: 0-3
Hebei CF vs Liaoning
Despite getting only 4 points from their last 6 games Hebei are the favorites here. Before Hebei lost 3 home games in a row they where on a 7 games unbeaten streak at home. They do seem to have turned it around already with a 2-1 victory in their last home game.
Liaoning are getting along pretty anonymously this season. With a 10th place after 20 games they don’t have be worried about the relegation spots but looking up seems a bit ambitious. None of their statistics are spiking in any area as they seem like a pretty well balanced side.
With their home advantage and the return of key-player Stephane M’bia Hebei are the favorites here.
Prediction: 2-0
Guangzhou RF vs Shandong Luneng
Probably the most anticipated of games in this weekends Super League schedule. Those who would have predicted Shandong Luneng would be in a fight against relegation after 21 games would have been declared nuts. But the harsh reality is that the men of newly instated coach Felix Magath are just 1 point above the much feared 15th place.
Add to that their abysmal away record (0 wins in 9 games) and the current form of Guangzhou and mainly Eran Zahavi, and this weekends fixture could prove to be too much to handle. Or could their luck change anytime now?
Because despite their lack of points, Luneng don’t seem to be doing that bad. To back up this statement we compared some of their statistics to Shanghai SIPG who are in 3rd place.
We certainly can not wait to find out if this will be the moment where Luneng turns it all around, or if Guangzhou RF are just too strong right now.
Prediction: 1-1
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