Shenhua
- Shanghai Shenhua enter the 2026 Chinese Super League season with a -10 point deduction for disciplinary reasons hanging over them so they will be chasing every point to stay in the race for the title.
- Leonid Slutsky has brought a coach’s discipline and possession-based approach to the club since he took charge in 2024, which has allowed Shenhua’s talented and versatile players to operate in a structured system that can change shape and formation.
Dalian
Li Guoxu’s team punch above their weight in the CSL by being ruthless in counter-attacks, especially when they have the ball in wide areas, and clinical in set-pieces.
Head-to-Head
Shenhua have been dominant in recent meetings with Dalian Young Boy FC, including a 3-0 win here in May 2025, and a 2-2 draw in October 2025.
Shenhua
- Liu Zherun, Gao Tianyi and Wu Xi are stable in the middle and can offer control and cover, while João Carlos (Teixeira) is the conductor in deep midfield that has provided so many assists and goals since 2025.
- Saulo Mineiro is Shenhua’s main attacking threat, having bagged a hat-trick and other crucial goals in 2025 and continuing his scoring streak in both league and continental play.
Dalian
- Cephas Malele is the most prolific finisher in the penalty box in 2025 in their direct two-striker system.
- Zakaria Labyad offers a creative spark and has provided some assists that were the building blocks to their attack in 2025, while Lü Zhuoyi provides pace and threat from the flanks.
Betting Insights
- Shenhua are the heavy favorites at 1.3, which is about right in our opinion given their superior squad and structure.
- The odds for Over 2.5 goals (1.5) are very short and don’t really appeal.
Prediction
- Both teams to score looks good at 1.73 as Dalian should give as good as they get in this match and both teams have the firepower to get on the scoresheet.
- Shenhua are likely to win it, however, so we are confidently backing the home team to get all three points.
- Shenhua’s compactness in midfield and disciplined positional play should see them edge it, but it could be close.
