Zhejiang Professional vs Shanghai Port Prediction, October 9, 2026: Can the Home Side Exploit Shanghai’s Travel Troubles? 🏆

Zhejiang Professional vs Shanghai Port Prediction: Match Preview

Zhejiang Professional welcome Shanghai Port to the Huizhou Olympic Stadium on Friday evening for a Chinese Super League fixture between two mid-table sides searching for a late-season spark. Zhejiang sit tenth on 31 points after a frustrating 2-1 defeat at Tianjin Jinmen Tiger last time out, a result that extended their inconsistent run to just one win in five matches. Shanghai Port, meanwhile, arrive in Huizhou sitting seventh on 33 points, having drawn 0-0 with Beijing Guoan in their most recent outing. With only four rounds remaining, neither side has much left to play for beyond pride and a potential top-half finish, but the historical edge and recent form suggest the visitors hold the advantage.

Match Information 📋

Match: Zhejiang Professional vs Shanghai Port
Competition: Chinese Super League – Round 27
Date: Friday, 9 October 2026
Kick-off: 13:00 BST
Venue: Huizhou Olympic Stadium, Huizhou
Our Prediction: Zhejiang Professional 1-2 Shanghai Port

Head-to-Head Record 📋

Shanghai Port have dominated this fixture historically, winning 10 of the 19 meetings, with Zhejiang claiming just three victories and five matches drawn. The goal difference is similarly one-sided: 32 goals scored by Shanghai Port compared to Zhejiang’s 21. The most recent encounter in May 2026 ended in a 2-2 draw at the Pudong Football Stadium, a match in which Zhejiang generated a higher expected goals figure (1.63 xG to Shanghai’s 1.16) despite playing away from home. Historically, Shanghai Port have won three of their last four home meetings with Zhejiang, including a 3-0 triumph in October 2025.

Zhejiang Professional Form 🔵

Last 5: L-W-D-W-L

Zhejiang’s season has been defined by inconsistency. The club sits tenth with a record of 10 wins, 6 draws, and 10 defeats from 26 matches, scoring 45 goals while conceding 43. Their most recent outing was a 2-1 defeat at Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, a match in which they dominated possession but were undone by the hosts’ clinical counter-attacks. Wang Yudong, the young striker who has been one of the season’s breakthrough stars, has now gone five matches without a goal, a drought that coincides with Zhejiang’s recent struggles. The team’s 4-3-3 system relies heavily on the attacking trident of Miletić, Wang Yudong, and Tao Qianglong, but their inability to convert territorial dominance into clear chances has been a recurring theme.

Team News: Zhejiang have no reported suspensions for this fixture, allowing coach to field his preferred attacking lineup.

Shanghai Port Form ⚪

Last 5: W-L-D-L-D

Shanghai Port’s campaign has been curious: a squad laden with individual quality has failed to mount a sustained title challenge, sitting seventh with 10 wins, 8 draws, and 8 losses. Their recent form has been patchy, with just one win in their last five matches. The 0-0 draw with Beijing Guoan last time out was a disciplined if unspectacular performance, with Kevin Muscat’s side prioritising defensive solidity over attacking flair. Shanghai Port’s away record is almost identical to their home form (5 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses on the road), suggesting they are equally comfortable or uncomfortable regardless of venue.

Team News: Shanghai Port have no reported suspensions. The squad’s fitness is generally good, though Muscat may rotate given the congested schedule.

Team News & Predicted Lineups 📰

Zhejiang Professional Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Zhao Bo; Sun Guowen, Liu Haofan, Lucas Possignolo, Xu Junchi; Cheng Jin, Tolic, Park Jin-seop; Tao Qianglong, Wang Yudong, Miletić

Zhejiang are expected to retain the attacking 4-3-3 that has served them well at times this season. Miletić’s long-range shooting and Wang Yudong’s movement are their primary weapons.

Shanghai Port Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Yan Junling; Wang Shenchao, Jiang Guangtai, Li Shuai; Wang Haijian, Yang Shiyuan, Mateus Vital, Zhang Yuan; Wu Lei, Gustavo, Oscar

Muscat’s back three has provided stability in recent weeks. Mateus Vital and Zhang Yuan scored in the reverse fixture and will look to exploit Zhejiang’s high defensive line.

xG & Tactical Analysis 📈

The expected goals data from the reverse fixture tells an intriguing story: Zhejiang generated 1.63 xG to Shanghai Port’s 1.16, yet the match ended 2-2. This suggests Zhejiang’s attacking approach can trouble Shanghai’s defence, but their own defensive vulnerabilities allow opponents to stay in matches.

Shanghai Port’s xG flow this season has been moderate, averaging around 1.2-1.5 per match. Their strength lies in set-piece situations and the individual quality of Mateus Vital and Wu Lei, while Zhejiang’s defensive record (43 goals conceded) is among the weaker in the top half.

The key tactical battle will be Zhejiang’s high press against Shanghai’s patient build-up. If Zhejiang can disrupt Shanghai’s rhythm early, they have the attacking tools to score. However, their tendency to leave space behind the full-backs is precisely the kind of weakness Shanghai’s experienced attackers can exploit.

Betting Analysis 💰

The market has Shanghai Port as marginal favourites at 1.85, with Zhejiang at 3.60 and the draw at 3.50. This reflects Shanghai’s historical dominance and superior squad depth. Both Teams to Score offers value: Zhejiang have scored in five of their last six matches, and Shanghai Port have found the net in seven of their last nine away fixtures. The correct score market favours 2-1 to Shanghai Port, a repeat of the scoreline from the 2023 meeting at Zhejiang’s former home ground.

Final Prediction 🏁

Zhejiang Professional 1-2 Shanghai Port

This is a fixture where historical patterns and current form align to favour the visitors. Zhejiang are capable of scoring—their xG numbers in the reverse fixture prove that—but their defensive fragility has been a season-long issue. Shanghai Port, despite their own inconsistencies, possess the individual quality to punish Zhejiang’s high line and the experience to manage the game in its closing stages.

Wang Yudong’s goal drought is a concern for Zhejiang; they need their young striker to rediscover his scoring touch to have a realistic chance of victory. Shanghai Port, with Mateus Vital and Wu Lei leading the line, have the firepower to exploit the spaces Zhejiang’s attacking full-backs will inevitably leave.

Prediction: Zhejiang Professional 1-2 Shanghai Port. Mateus Vital opens the scoring, Wang Yudong finally ends his drought to equalise for the hosts, but Shanghai Port’s superior quality tells in the second half as Zhang Yuan scores the winner.