On August 17th at 19:35, the 23rd round of the 2024 Chinese Super League (CSL) will feature a highly anticipated Shanghai Derby, which is also a top-of-the-table clash. At that time, Shanghai Shenhua, currently second in the league table, will host leaders Shanghai Port. Given that the two Shanghai teams are five points apart and the season is nearing its end, the outcome of this Shanghai Derby could directly determine the champion of this year’s Chinese Super League.
Shanghai Port currently sits atop the table with 63 points from 20 wins and 3 draws, being the only undefeated team in the league, and with an 87% win rate, they have the highest win rate in the league. Shanghai Port has been in excellent form, having won 18 consecutive games across both the CSL and FA Cup since May, including 16 consecutive wins in the CSL, continuously setting new records for the most consecutive wins by a team in CSL history.
Shanghai Port boasts a very strong attacking capability, averaging 3.48 goals per game, making them the only team in the league to score at least three goals per game on average. During their 16-game winning streak in the CSL, they scored at least five goals in as many as eight matches. This match is a Shanghai Derby, where theoretically, Shanghai Port is the away team. However, up to this point in the season, Shanghai Port remains the only team to maintain an undefeated away record.
Recently, several key players in Shanghai Port’s squad have been in explosive form. Wu Lei, who leads the league with 28 goals, has scored in four consecutive games and even netted four goals in the previous round. Oscar has provided assists in five consecutive rounds, notably completing a hat-trick of assists in the last league game. Additionally, players like Gustavo and Bargaz have also demonstrated impressive form.
Shanghai Shenhua currently ranks second in the league table with 58 points from 18 wins, 4 draws, and 1 loss, trailing leaders Shanghai Port by 5 points. Since June, Shanghai Shenhua had created an eight-game winning streak across both competitions. However, on August 4th, Shanghai Shenhua suffered their first defeat in the CSL this season, losing 1-2 to Beijing Guoan in the 21st round, thereby increasing the gap with Shanghai Port to five points. Fortunately, Shanghai Shenhua promptly regained form and won 5-1 against Nantong Zhiyun in the last round.
Shanghai Shenhua is the best defensive team in the league, conceding an average of 0.48 goals per game, making them the team with the fewest goals conceded per game in the league. For this match, Shanghai Shenhua will play at home, and their previous home record stands at nine wins and two draws, remaining unbeaten. However, Shanghai Shenhua faces some personnel shortages. The main left-back, Yang Zexiang, will miss the Derby due to accumulating four yellow cards; Malele was substituted off injured in the last league game, and according to local media reports, Malele did not participate in the pre-match training and did not travel with the team to the hotel, indicating he is likely to miss the game. Regarding this Derby battle, Shanghai Shenhua’s head coach, Slutsky, frankly stated, “The importance of this game is self-evident. The result will directly affect the championship outcome of this year’s Chinese Super League, so we must show our best form.”
In terms of historical head-to-head records, Shanghai Port has dominated with 10 wins, 7 draws, and 3 losses in the last 20 encounters against Shanghai Shenhua. However, entering 2024, Shanghai Shenhua first defeated Shanghai Port in the Super Cup, and then drew 1-1 with Shanghai Port in the 8th round of the league.
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