Shanghai Port
- The Chinese Super Cup will feature the two most exciting coaches in China as the 2025 champions Shanghai Port FC face the fourth-placed Beijing Guoan FC in a replay of the 2019 edition on Sunday.
- The game will be a tactical chess match between Kevin Muscat’s fluid, attack-minded 4-2-3-1 and Nick Montgomery’s highly-disciplined 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 system.
- Muscat’s side play a high-intensity, attack-minded game with high full-backs and a fluid formation that can transition from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-1-1 at the drop of a hat.
- Port’s full-backs get forward to provide wide overloads for their two number tens to attack, while the central midfield provides a strong shield for their strikers and creative midfielders.
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Recent form:
- Three successive low-scoring draws in the AFC Champions League Elite.
- Two heavy preseason defeats to Zenit.
- Five points deducted at the start of the 2026 season because of anti-corruption findings.
Beijing Guoan
- Beijing Guoan arrive in much sharper form than the hosts after cruising to the 2025 FA Cup title and winning three preseason friendlies with lively attacking displays.
- Montgomery has been impressive in getting his new team to press in numbers and play a structured, high-pressing game with good width from wing-backs and pace in transition.
- Fábio Abreu, who scored a hat-trick in Guoan’s 3-0 FA Cup final victory, has already committed his future to the club by signing a contract extension.
Head-to-Head
Shanghai Port won the 2019 edition of this competition 2-0 , and Port sit one win ahead on H2H over the last 10 years.
Key Players
- Fábio Abreu - scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup final and has signed a contract extension.
- Zhang Xizhe - provides vision and quality on set pieces.
- Zhang Yuning - expected to add attacking ammunition.
- Lin Liangming - expected to add attacking ammunition.
- Yan Junling - veteran keeper who led Port during their 2025 title-winning campaign with experience and leadership.
- He Yupeng - is likely to be out with an injury for the visitors.
Betting Insights
- A draw is priced at 3.6 and is worth a small wager.
- The main selection is Over 2.5 goals at 1.36, favored given both clubs' attacking style and this fixture's recent history.
Prediction
- Port's recent form is mixed after a shaky winter, while Montgomery has impressed since arriving and Beijing arrive with momentum to win this.
- Veteran keeper Yan Junling can be trusted to keep things tight in what could be a tense Super Cup battle.
