Tianjin Teda vs Shanghai Shenhua Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this one. On paper, it looks like a mismatch - 2nd place Shanghai Shenhua rocking up to 6th place Tianjin Teda. But as we all know, football's not played on paper, is it?

Tianjin have been proper solid at home this season, mate. We're talking 66.67% win rate on their own patch and barely letting anyone score - just 0.33 goals conceded per game at home. They've kept clean sheets in half their last 10 matches overall, including that cracking 4-0 win over Wuhan Three Towns. They even went to league leaders Shanghai SIPG and came back with a 1-1 draw, so they're not mugs.

Shanghai Shenhua, on the other hand, have been a bit hit and miss on their travels. Sure, they're sitting pretty in 2nd place, but away from home they're shipping goals for fun - 2.00 per game on the road! They've only won 33.33% of their away matches recently, and let's not forget they've been gallivanting around Asia in the Champions League. That 3-1 thumping by Johor Darul Takzim won't have done their confidence any good, will it?

The head-to-head doesn't make great reading for Tianjin - Shanghai won 3-0 last time they met. But that was back in June, and Tianjin's home form since then has been proper decent.

Looking at the odds, the bookies have Shanghai as heavy favorites at 1.53, but that seems to be based more on league position than current form. Tianjin's home record deserves more respect, especially against a Shanghai side that's been leaking goals away from home.

The stats tell an interesting story - Tianjin average 1.67 goals at home but barely concede, while Shanghai score plenty but also let plenty in away from home. This screams 'tight game' to me, especially with Tianjin's defensive record at home.