- Gongfu form: Shijiazhuang Gongfu FC have won just 2, drawn 2 and lost 6 of their last 10 matches across all competitions.
- Shenhua form: Shanghai Shenhua have won just 3 of their last 10 (D3, L4) across all competitions.
- Gongfu home form: Shijiazhuang Gongfu FC have won just 1 of their last 5 home games (L4).
Cup clash offers underdogs chance to shake up the odds
Hosts under pressure
As heavy favorites Shanghai Shenhua's odds of 1.56 don't look favorable for this match and an upset could be on the cards here, given that their Second Division hosts are priced at a whopping 5.91. The hosts have had a disappointing campaign so far and manager Cheng Liu will have his work cut out trying to turn around the club's fortunes, having recently taken charge.
The team has struggled to create chances or score goals in general and are conceding on average 1.40 goals per game. Their 4-1-4-1/4-2-3-1 system is compact and rigid, but relies on the advanced midfielders and wingers to be disciplined and to cover ground quickly when required. This won't be an easy game for the hosts as they'll surely try to frustrate their opponents and hit them on the counter.
Visitors and form
Shenhua boss Leonid Slutsky has done a lot of good work since taking charge in December 2023, but the club has hit a bit of a rough patch recently with 3 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5. They lost their most recent game 1-2 at home to Shenzhen Peng FC and were held to a 2-2 draw by Qingdao West Coast FC in their previous away match. Slutsky has implemented a more fluid system since taking over from the previous manager, but it still works from a 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 base and focuses on tempo, pressing and moving the ball quickly.
Match will be a test of discipline vs attack
In this fixture, the matchup of the two systems will be fascinating. Gongfu will try and hold their shape and frustrate the Super League team, and Shenhua will try and press them into mistakes while also trying to keep the ball and maintain possession. However, if they do get caught, Shenhua could be exposed at the back. We believe the visitors should have enough quality to progress, but Shenhua's defensive frailties and Gongfu's defensive discipline could keep this matchup close for the first half at least.
With Shenhua's goalscoring quality and Gongfu's poor recent form, we think the visitors will win here, but the home team will be desperate to put up a fight and cause an upset against their Super League opponents. The alternative bet over 2.5 goals at 1.67 looks attractive and both teams could contribute here as Shenhua push for the win and the underdogs try and get on the scoresheet.
- Shijiazhuang have won just 1 and drawn 1 of their last 5 with a 0-1 loss at home to Meizhou Hakka and a 0-0 draw away at Dalian K'un City in their most recent games.
- They score an average of 0.40 goals per home game, but concede on average 1.40.
- Shenhua concede an average of 1.75 away from home, which has seen them concede 7 goals across their last 4 road games (W1, D1, L2).
