Ulsan Hyundai vs Chengdu Better City Prediction: 17.09.2025 AFC Champions League Elite Preview

The AFC Champions League Elite’s East Asia phase presents a compelling contest as Ulsan Hyundai host Chengdu Better City at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium. Ulsan, once a mainstay in Korean club football, now approaches this fixture under pressure, enduring a concerning dip—winless in their last four outings. On the other side, Chengdu arrive riding a significant momentum, turning heads in the region with a run of powerful attacking displays and a rapidly improving defensive foundation. This fixture brings together two teams at distinctly different points—one seeking resurgence, the other keen to build on its recent ascent.

Look out for Ulsan’s versatile midfielder Ko Seung-Beom, equally adept at breaking up play and timing late runs, while for Chengdu Better City, the clinical form of Felipe Sousa—already with four goals from his last four—could prove pivotal. While both sides rely on collective effort, these individuals have been at the heart of their teams’ best moments recently.

A hot stat that leaps out: Chengdu Better City have rattled in 10 goals in their last five matches, underscoring their current attacking efficiency compared to Ulsan’s struggle for end product in front of goal.

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Ulsan Hyundai vs Chengdu Better City prediction

There is a strong case to be made for backing the visitors here. Chengdu Better City’s recent form—winning three of their last five, netting ten goals—stands in stark contrast to the winless (0W, 1D, 3L) run of Ulsan Hyundai. Even at home, Ulsan have looked short on cutting edge; their attack mustered just three goals in their last five matches and their defense has leaked 12 in the same period.

Furthermore, Chengdu’s 3-4-3 system offers significant width and transition pace, an approach that exposed Ulsan’s weaknesses (notably in their heavy recent losses) and is reflected in Chengdu’s remarkable tally of 25 corners in the last five outings. The hosts, under Shin Tae-yong, have tended to stay compact with a 5-4-1, yet have struggled to protect against speedy counters and late runs from midfield.

Discipline and game management may also play a decisive role. Both sides have been prone to fouls—43 for Ulsan, 51 for Chengdu in their last five respectively—though yellow cards and stoppages could further fragment play and amplify the threat of set-pieces. Chengdu appear slightly better organized, with higher passing accuracy (Chengdu: 82% vs Ulsan: 83%) suggesting both can control phases, but Chengdu’s volume of shots (68 versus Ulsan’s 38) and high pressing style may ultimately shift the scales.

Team Analysis

Ulsan Hyundai’s recent results paint a clear picture of struggle: a solitary draw (1-1 vs Pohang) sandwiched between defeats against Jeonbuk (0-2), Seoul (2-3), and Suwon (2-4). In those fixtures, Ulsan’s normally resilient defense was alarmingly porous, yielding twelve goals. They seem unable to keep opposition at bay, while in attack, only Ko Seung-Beom and Heo Yool found the net recently. There are glimmers of creative intent from Lee Jin-Hyun, but an overall lack of penetration keeps thwarting their efforts.

Chengdu Better City, by contrast, enter buoyed by a five-match unbeaten streak (4W, 1D), capped by a 1-0 win over Changchun Yatai and emphatic victories over Shanghai Port (4-1) and Yunnan Yukun (5-1). Felipe Sousa epitomizes their current form—direct, tenacious, and lethal in transition. The team’s 3-4-3 offers dynamic attacking options from wide areas, while the Brazilian trio of Sousa, Rômulo, and Wei Shihao provide a genuine threat from open play and set-pieces alike. Their only recent blip was a narrow 3-4 defeat against Henan Songshan Longmen, yet they responded with purpose.

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🚨Read our full Ulsan Hyundai vs Chengdu Better City stats for more analysis.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Ulsan Hyundai the favourite

• Moneyline Ulsan Hyundai 1.99 | Chengdu Better City 3.42
• Draw 3.88
• Over/Under Over 2.5 1.95 | Under 2.5 1.80
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.90 | No 1.85

Despite Ulsan Hyundai’s status as slight favourites according to market odds, recent form heavily favours Chengdu Better City. The bookmakers seem to give Ulsan the edge on home advantage and reputation, but Chengdu’s high scoring rate, superior recent win percentage (60% versus Ulsan’s 0% in the last month), and attacking intent suggest there is real value backing them on the double chance or Asian Handicap. With Ulsan’s defense recently exposed and both sides likely to approach this with attacking intent, betting on goals and Chengdu’s resilience may offer the smarter wager.

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Possible Starting Lineups

Ulsan Hyundai possible starting eleven

Ulsan are likely to stick with their familiar 5-4-1, hoping to shore up their leaky backline while using Ko Seung-Beom and Lee Jin-Hyun to carry the ball forward. Jo Hyeon-woo remains first-choice goalkeeper, demanded to exceed his average performances of late. Heo Yool is likely to spearhead operations, but watch for Cho Hyun-Taek’s overlapping runs and set-piece threat. Reinforcing the midfield could be key for Ulsan to regain composure and break their winless streak.

Chengdu Better City possible starting eleven

Coach Seo Jung-won’s 3-4-3 should remain intact, maximizing Chengdu’s evolving chemistry in attack. Expect Gurfinkel and Rômulo to offer crucial link-play in the middle, while Felipe Sousa and Wei Shihao will be tasked to stretch the Ulsan defense. Fullback runs by Gurfinkel add tactical unpredictability. Consistency at the back is also boosted by Liu Dianzuo’s recent displays between the sticks. Chengdu’s proactive, high-tempo style fits their current personnel perfectly and could see them outshooting Ulsan once more.

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My take on the Match

Given the prevailing trends, the value sits squarely with Chengdu Better City on the Asian Handicap (+0.25) or at least “double chance.” Their attacking style, sharp form, and growing confidence suggest they are capable of breaching Ulsan’s defense, which has been sorely lacking structure. Expect a match where both teams contribute to the scoreline, but the visitors create the better chances and could well take all the points. Crucially, Ulsan must overcome not just their rival, but also the mounting pressure of their poor run. Until proven otherwise, backing Chengdu to get a result is the smart long-term play.

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