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The Chinese Super League is back after a hiatus of four months for the playoffs as Shenzhen FC and Shanghai Port meet at Huadu Stadium on Monday.
Shenzhen finished third in the Group A standings while Shanghai Port managed to finish second in the Group B standings. Shenzhen were the champions of the Chinese top-flight in 2004 while Shanghai Port last won the competition in 2018. The playoffs will kick off on December 12 and conclude on January 4.
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Shenzhen vs Shanghai Port Head-to-Head
The two sides have met each other four times so far, twice in the Chinese Super League and twice in League One. Shenzhen are winless against Shanghai with the latter recording three wins and one game ending in a draw.
They last met in league action at Shanghai Stadium in 2019. The game ended in a commanding 6-0 win for the then hosts, with Marko Arnautovic scoring four goals, Oscar scoring twice and Hulk also getting on the scoresheet.
Shenzhen form guide (all competitions): D-L-W-W-W
Shanghai Port form guide (Chinese FA Cup): D-W-D-W-W
Shenzhen vs Shanghai Port Team News
Shenzhen
Gao Lin and Morteza Pouraliganji did not feature in the Chinese FA Cup fixtures in October and it is expected that the duo will be absent for these games as well. Juan Fernando Quintero has been pressuring the club for a move back to River Plate and is not expected to start here.
Injured: Morteza Pouraliganji, Gao Lin
Suspension: None
Unavailable: Juan Fernando Quintero
Shanghai Port
Ricardo Lopes has been ruled out with a knee injury while Paulinho is also ruled out with an undisclosed injury.
Injured: Ricardo Lopes, Paulinho
Suspended: None
Shenzhen vs Shanghai Port Predicted XI
Shenzhen Predicted XI (4-4-2): Lu Zhang; Yeljan Shinar, Mincheng Yuan, Zhang Yuan, Haolun Mi; Sun Ke, Mubarak Wakaso, Yuan Zhang, Frank Acheampong; Alan Kardec, Chen Xiangyu
Shanghai Port Predicted XI (3-4-3): Yan Junling; Hai Yu, Zhen Wei, Guan He; Shiyuan Yang, Huacheng Zheng, Wang Shenchao, Lu Wenjun; Oscar, Hu Jinghang, Shenglong Li
Shenzhen vs Shanghai Port Prediction
Shanghai Port had the best defensive record in the regular season and were also impressive in their Chinese FA Cup campaign, making it to the final. Shenzhen are facing some trouble in management and these off-field issues could affect their performance on the pitch.
A narrow win for the Red Eagles is the most likely outcome from the game.
Prediction: Shenzhen 0-1 Shanghai Port
