Shanghai-Lu hegemony: Shanghai port wants to break the game, Taishan in crisis
Stepping to the threshold of the 2022 Chinese Super League season, Shanghai Port was seen as the favorites to win the title, yet their record failed to match it. The team brought in striker Wu Lei midway through the season, as well as his old Spanish counterpart Vargas, but the results have not shown. Currently, Shanghai Port is in fourth place in the table with 56 points from 17 wins, 5 draws and 9 losses.
Shandong Taishan seems to be stuck in the "giving away points" circle when facing Shanghai Port, which is not bad in terms of strength. Since the 2010 FA Cup, Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Port have played nearly 6 matches, with a record of 1 draw and 5 losses. In the first round of the Chinese Super League last season, Shandong Taishan defeated Shanghai Port 3-1 at home.
This time, however, the battle may be turned upside down.
Shandong Taishan's recent form has picked up, after a 1:1 draw with Wuhan Sanzhen away in the 30th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL), the team has won their last three matches in a row, with wins in both the FA Cup and CSL.
Shanghai Port, on the other hand, has been quite solid recently, with an unbeaten record of two wins and a draw in their last three matches in the Chinese Super League and FA Cup.
Although the overall strength of Shanghai Port is not to be underestimated, it will not be easy for them to win against the defending champion Shandong Taishan. It's more likely that the match will end in a draw. For Shanghai Port, a draw won't hurt, but it's enough to cast a shadow over Shandong Taishan's prospects.
