Bitesize Prediction: Cangzhou vs Shanghai Shenhua – 22/07/24

Competition: Chinese Super League

Market: Cephas Malele to score anytime

Odds: 21/20 @ BetUS

Two sides who are battling it out at opposite end of the Super League table, Shanghai Shenhua will travel to Cangzhou on Monday lunchtime.

Starting with the hosts, while Cangzhou might have eventually kept hold of their Super League status last season, the Mighty Lions have an almighty challenge one their hands this time around. Missing out on what was billed as a potential opportunity last time out as they had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Wuhan Three Towns, the Blues are already sat in the drop zone and should be bracing themselves for a monumental challenge here. Crashing out of the FA Cup last month following a 1-0 defeat against second-tier outfit Nanjing City, Li Xiaopeng’s men have failed to muster a single win from any of their previous 14 consecutive matchups across all competitions – a rut that stems all the way back to April 14th. Signing off June with respective 4-0 drumming against Chengdu Rongcheng and Beijing Guoan, Monday’s hosts have continued to show some glaring issues at the back. In fact, Cangzhou have not recorded a sole clean sheet in front of their own supporters since the start of April.

As for the visitors, embarking on what has been a sensational purple patch this season, Shanghai Shenhua should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Battling it out in the title chase and appearing to cruise their way to a lucrative AFC Champions League return, Leonid Slutsky’s side will certainly be confident of making another statement here. Extending on their FA Cup adventure last week as they edged past Shenzhen, Monday’s guests have won all of their previous six appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 1-1 stalemate against Chengdu on June 16th. Breaking a string of records so far this season, the one-time Hull City boss has not seen his high-flying squad suffer a single defeat across any format since opening up the 2024 campaign. Opening July with a remarkable 6-0 romp against Shandong Taishan, Shanghai have gained a fearsome reputation for their performances in the final third. Two sides scrapping it out at opposite ends of the table, it is no surprise that Slutsky’s men are tipped as a landslide contender on Monday lunchtime.

Bet: Cephas Malele 21/20 to score anytime against Cangzhou in Monday’s Chinese Super League showdown @ BetUS