Chengdu Rongcheng FC (home)
- John Aloisi’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC have had a very busy preseason of games, training sessions and AFC Champions League Elite round fixtures since their best-ever finish as a top-three Chinese Super League side in 2025.
- The Aussie coach has established a structured system, with discipline to press and play out of the defensive third, that suits the players and team.
- His 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system has a double-pivot that screens the defense, structured pressing and controlled attacking transitions.
- Wei Shihao is the attacking talisman who keeps turning up with goals and assists, while Felipe de Sousa Silva offers a dynamic threat from wide or through the middle.
- That said, they did not have enough to see off Buriram United in their recent home game and conceded a late goal, losing 0 - 1.
Shenzhen Peng FC (away)
- Shenzhen Peng FC must avoid another season of survival struggle in the 2026 season of the Chinese Super League after finishing 12th last year.
- Their home-and-away record against Chengdu Rongcheng FC in their last four meetings is discouraging as they have taken just one point from the last 12 available and can’t be very confident of avoiding another defeat this Friday.
- José Muñoz Zoyo’s side are still seeking consistency after a mixed bag of results in their last preseason fixtures.
- The visitors lost to Port FC and Beijing Guoan in their final two warm-up friendlies before a 2-1 win over Shaanxi last weekend.
Head-to-Head
Chengdu Rongcheng FC have won three of the past four official Chinese Super League meetings between the teams, including a 5-0 home win and a 3-0 away success in 2024.
Key Players
- Muñoz Zoyo’s best teams have been solid at the back and dangerous in transition, but he is still looking for more cohesion in the attack.
- Edu García is a great playmaker who links midfield and attack well, but can also be a threat from set pieces.
- Thiago Andrade brings pace and directness to the front line, and can threaten from distance, but Behram Abduweli showed he has a nose for a game-winning goal and is on the radar of the national team.
Betting Insights
- Chengdu have the better squad, greater tactical cohesion and the psychological advantage after the recent history of the game.
- Phoenix Hill Stadium can be an intimidating venue for visitors and, given there is a chance of rain, we believe the hosts will be able to control the play.
- Shenzhen have some good forwards, but may not have the quality to unlock Chengdu’s disciplined defence, so the home side are very likely to win to nil.
- However, the 1.53 odds for Over 2.5 goals look too short for a clash that may not be as open as that, so we will stick with the 1.2 odds on a Chengdu victory and the 1.65 on ‘Both teams to score - No’ for a bit of added value.
Prediction
so we will stick with the 1.2 odds on a Chengdu victory and the 1.65 on ‘Both teams to score - No’ for a bit of added value.
