On Thursday morning, Shanghai Shenhua and Shenzhen FC meet at the Hongkou Stadium, in both teams second match of the new Chinese Super League campaign.
The home side opened their campaign like they finished last season, by suffering a defeat. Choi Kang-hee's team suffered a 2-0 defeat at Guangzhou Evergrande. The defeat means that Shanghai have now lost their last five matches in the CSL, having conceded at least two goals in their last four league outings.
The team were not great in attack at the end of last season or their opening game of the new season, as they have failed to score in three of their previous five league matches.
The likes of high-profile forwards Obafemi Martins and Stephan El Shaarawy have struggled in front of goal in recent seasons.
Inconsistent form on their own patch has hindered Shanghai’s chances of building up any positive momentum, as they have won just two of their previous six games on home soil in the Chinese top-flight. Their recent home matches in the league have at least been high-scoring, with their previous nine league games on home soil producing over 2.5 goals.
Shenzhen kicked off their league campaign with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Guangzhou. The victory was in contrast to the visitors form at the end of last season when they failed to win any of their final nine matches while suffering five defeats in the process.
Like their hosts, their most recent CSL games have certainly not lacked goals, as their last seven league games have produced over 2.5 goals.
Shenzhen are looking to end their away-day blues in the top-flight, as they have failed to win in their last 35 games on their travels, a record spanning a decade.
Forebet predicts that Shanghai Shenhua will get off the mark in this clash by recording a victory in a high-scoring game, continuing the visitors away struggles.