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The 2026 Chinese Super League kicks off with a fascinating Sichuan derby as Chengdu Better City host Sichuan Jiuniu. While the table shows a blank slate for both sides, the recent form tells a story that makes this underdog appeal impossible to ignore for us puppy-lovers.
Chengdu Better City enter this campaign as heavy 1.28 favorites, yet scratch beneath the surface and you'll find a side that hasn't won a single match in their last ten outings. That's right – zero victories from six draws and four defeats. Their most recent Super League action ended in a 1-2 home defeat to Henan Jianye, part of a worrying trend where they've failed to win any of their last three home matches (0% win rate, 66.67% loss rate). Even against fellow Chinese opposition, they've struggled to close the deal, managing only a 1-1 draw when these sides last met in November.
Now let's talk about our little underdogs. Sichuan Jiuniu arrive at juicy 12.50 odds, which frankly looks like a misprice when you consider their recent giant-killing exploits. Yes, their away record shows some wobbles (80% loss rate in last five on the road), but this is a team that beat Beijing Guoan 2-1 and Wuhan Three Towns 2-1 in their final 2025 fixtures. They scored in both of those victories against established Super League sides, showing they have the attacking teeth to hurt anyone on their day.
The head-to-head history favors Chengdu (4 wins from 7), but that 1-1 draw in the most recent meeting (November 22) shows the gap is closing. With Chengdu managing just 0.67 goals per game at home recently and Sichuan showing they can compete with the league's bigger names, the 12.50 available on the away win represents exactly the kind of long-term value we underdog hunters dream about.
**Key Points:**
• Chengdu Better City are winless in their last 10 matches (0 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses)
• Sichuan Jiuniu defeated Beijing Guoan 2-1 and Wuhan Three Towns 2-1 in recent Super League action
• The last meeting between these sides ended in a 1-1 draw on November 22, 2025
• Chengdu have failed to win any of their last 3 home matches (0% win rate)
• Sichuan Jiuniu are available at 12.50 odds, implying just an 8% chance of victory
• Both teams have scored in 60% of their recent respective fixtures
• Goal expectancies are nearly identical (Home 0.93 vs Away 0.97)
**Summary:**
While the market expects a comfortable Chengdu victory, the data suggests a much tighter contest. Sichuan Jiuniu have proven they can trouble top-half teams, and Chengdu's inability to convert draws into wins leaves them vulnerable to a shock opening-day defeat. At 12.50, the away win offers tremendous value for those willing to back the little puppy against the odds.
