Shanghai Port vs Chongqing Tongliangloong Prediction: 21.04.2026 Chinese Super League Preview

With both teams pursuing vital points early in this year’s Chinese Super League campaign, all eyes turn to Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium for a matchup rich in subplots. While Shanghai Port have home advantage, it’s Chongqing Tongliangloong who currently ride the crest of a form wave, unbeaten in six and punching above their recent historical weight. What makes this contest even more intriguing is how the defensive organization of the visitors will cope with the creative flair Shanghai have traditionally boasted, especially under coach Kevin Muscat.

Keep a close watch on Leonardo Nascimento Lopes de Souza, whose movement between opposition lines has powered Shanghai’s sporadic attacking success, and on Chen Chunxin, Chongqing’s emerging midfield dynamo—quietly vital in transition and responsible for two goals in his last three appearances.

Perhaps the most telling “hot stat” comes straight from the bookings ledger: while Shanghai Port have racked up 12 yellow cards in their last five games, Chongqing have kept remarkably disciplined, collecting just 2. The difference in temperament and potential for suspension looms large in a tight encounter such as this.

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Shanghai Port vs Chongqing Tongliangloong prediction

The bookmakers have Shanghai Port as around 55% favourites, which broadly aligns with the supposed strength of their squad and home ground. However, Chongqing’s unbeaten run speaks volumes. Their recent tactical discipline—seen in their five-back system and outstanding ball retention—suggests they won’t be simply making up the numbers in Shanghai.

Expect Shanghai to control possession (averaging 976 passes in their last five) but face roadblocks in Chongqing’s compact defensive line. That said, Chongqing are not just sitting deep; their transition play, spearheaded by Chen Chunxin and Alexandru Cîmpanu, can quickly flip the script.

Aggression and recklessness might plague Shanghai Port—their 12 yellow cards and 36 fouls over the last five are a concern. Conversely, Chongqing’s calm heads have helped them weather pressure, take points, and avoid suspensions.

Chongqing’s defensive organization and form make them the value pick against an inconsistent Shanghai Port—backing them in the Draw No Bet market insures against a likely stalemate. Given both teams have averaged under a goal conceded per match recently, expect goals at a premium. With Shanghai’s high foul and interception rates, look for plenty of dead-ball scenarios and a correspondingly high corner count.

Team Analysis

Shanghai Port:
A side capable of slick, passing combinations but struggling for rhythm. Their last five have yielded just one win, most recently drawing 1-1 with Shandong Taishan—a game that saw them labor in build-up and miss that clinical edge up front. While creative talents like Leonardo and Mateus Vital show flashes of inspiration, suspensions and bookings threaten to dilute their strongest XI. Defensive lapses have been costly, as conceded goals often stem from failure to clear second balls and set-piece vulnerability.

Chongqing Tongliangloong:
The league’s surprise package so far. Their recent 2-0 win over Shenzhen Peng City captured the essence of their rise: Efficient in the counter, ruthless from set pieces, and—thanks to Liu Jianye’s bench-mastery—increasingly organized at the back. They’ve conceded just four across their last six, anchored by the imposing Lucas Cavalcante and supported by high-energy midfield disruptors like Chen Chunxin and Ibrahim Amadou. Their only caveat is shot conversion, but ingenuity in wide areas, especially from Alexandru Cîmpanu, keeps them dangerous.

Most recent Head-to-Head Matches

🚨Read our full Shanghai Port vs Chongqing Tongliangloong stats for more analysis.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Shanghai Port the favourite

• Moneyline Shanghai Port 1.70 | Chongqing Tongliangloong 4.40
• Draw 4.00
• Over/Under Over 2.5 2.00 | Under 2.5 1.80
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 2.00 | No 1.75

The odds position Shanghai as clear favourites based on reputation and home comfort, but the market may be slow to react to Chongqing’s exceptional form and robust defence. Value hunters should note the high price for the visitors—reflective of public scepticism, but not of recent performances. With both sides struggling for free-scoring wins, the under 2.5 and “No” on Both Teams To Score merit genuine attention.

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Possible Starting Lineups

Shanghai Port possible starting eleven

• GK: Yan Junling
• DF: Wang Shenchao, Wei Zhen, Zhang Linpeng, Li Shuai
• MF: Mateus Vital, Umidjan Yusup, Lu Yongtao, Kodjo Jean Claude
• FW: Leonardo Nascimento Lopes de Souza, Wu Lei

Reasoning: Yan Junling is the natural pick between the sticks, offering reliability. The defensive core of Wang Shenchao and Zhang Linpeng adds experience, with Li Shuai’s recent assists hinting at offensive value. Vital and Claude provide creativity and ball retention—a must against Chongqing’s pressing style. Up top, expect Leonardo’s powerful running and Wu Lei’s movement to test the visitor’s shape. Shanghai will likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, seeking to control tempo but needing defensive vigilance when transitions break down.

Chongqing Tongliangloong possible starting eleven

• GK: Yao Haoyang
• DF: Ruan Qilong, He Xiaoqiang, Lucas Cavalcante Silva Afonso, Michael Ngadeu, Zhang Yingkai
• MF: Ibrahim Amadou, Chen Chunxin, Zhang Zhixiong, Alexandru Cîmpanu
• FW: Du Yuezheng

Explanation: Coach Liu Jianye will almost certainly retain his tried-and-trusted 5-4-1 template, leveraging the stability offered by Cavalcante and Ngadeu at the back. Amadou and Chen Chunxin are pivotal in central areas for breaking up play and launching counters, while Cîmpanu offers incision from wide positions. Yuezheng, a physically-imposing forward, is likely the lone spearhead, tasked with holding up play and exposing gaps left by Shanghai’s advancing fullbacks.

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My take on the Match

In matches where one side is the form favourite and the other has pedigree, I side with underlying performance—and Chongqing Tongliangloong have shown more in the last month. Their structure, discipline, and rapidly-improving squad chemistry give them the edge to at least avoid defeat. Don’t be surprised if they edge a low-scoring contest, but my strongest play is Chongqing Draw No Bet. For all of Shanghai Port’s resources and home comfort, recent performances do not inspire full confidence—expect them to falter again unless they discover their clinical edge.

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