Meizhou Kejia vs Dalian Zhixing Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper gander at this basement battle in the Chinese Super League. Meizhou Kejia are propping up the table in 15th with a measly 20 points, while Dalian Zhixing are sitting pretty in 10th with 35 points. On paper, there's a clear gap, but football's not played on paper, is it?

Meizhou's recent form has been, shall we say, shocking. Two wins in their last ten games tells its own story. They've been shipping goals like there's no tomorrow - 25 conceded in that run, including some proper hammerings: 1-4 at home to Yunnan, 1-6 at Shanghai Shenhua, and 2-4 at home to league leaders Shanghai SIPG. Their only wins came against the teams below them, which tells you everything you need to know about their level.

Dalian aren't exactly setting the world alight either, but they look a bit more organised. Two wins and three draws in their last ten shows they can get results. They've kept a couple of clean sheets and that 2-2 draw at Shanghai Shenhua proves they can compete with the big boys. The key difference is at the back - they're letting in 1.8 goals per game compared to Meizhou's 2.5.

When it comes to home and away form, it's a proper tale of woe. Meizhou have won just 20% of their home games this season, while Dalian haven't won a single away game all season. That's 0% - absolutely shocking! But here's the thing: Dalian have drawn 3 of their last 5 away games, so they're getting points on the road, just not the full three.

The stats paint an interesting picture. Meizhou are scoring 1.4 goals at home but conceding 2.4. Dalian are scoring 1.0 away but letting in 2.6. Both teams are leaky as a sieve, and that's where I think the value lies.

Both teams to score? Yes please! Meizhou have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten games, and they're scoring at home. Dalian have kept two clean sheets in ten and are finding the net regularly enough. 70% of Meizhou's recent games have seen both teams score, and with both defenses being this generous, I can't see that changing.

The odds of 1.55 for BTTS Yes look about right, but given the defensive shambles on both sides, I reckon it's even more likely than the bookies think. This has got 2-2 or 3-1 written all over it - plenty of goals, plenty of mistakes, and probably a few nervous defenders looking at the floor.

Key Points:

• Meizhou are rock bottom with just 20 points

• Dalian sit 10th with 35 points

• Meizhou have shipped 25 goals in their last 10 games

• Dalian haven't won an away game all season (0%)

• Both teams have terrible defensive records

• 70% of Meizhou's recent games have seen both teams score

Both teams are struggling, both defenses are generous, and both teams can score. It's not the most glamorous bet, but sometimes the simple ones are the best. Both teams to score looks the most likely outcome in what should be an entertaining, if not high-quality, affair.