The Chinese language Tremendous League returns immediately with all 16 of the league’s groups in motion this week. And the league will get off to a vigorous with highlights together with the Guangzhou Metropolis Derby between Guangzhou and Guangzhou Metropolis and the basic China Derby between Shanghai Shenhua and Beijing Guoan.
This primary week ought to give us respectable thought of how the remainder of the season will go and the way some groups will cope with out key gamers who’re presently caught in Brazil and unable to enter the nation.
Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic v Shandong Taishan
Tuesday, 20th April
Guangzhou College City Sports activities Heart Stadium , Guangzhou
Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic had a good season final yr however have misplaced a lot of vital gamers within the low season and can probably come up quick towards a strong and skilled Shandong Taishan staff.
Shandong are with out Brazilian’s Roger Guedes and Moises who’re each caught in Brazil resulting from Covid restrictions. However have managed to herald Brazilian striker Leonardo from Urawa Pink Diamonds as late alternative for Guedes.
Leonardo ought to present a viable focus for Shandong upfront. However the sport will almost definitely be gained in midfield, the place Shandong ought to have a dominant pairing in ex-Man United star Marouane Fellaini and 2020 Ok League 1 MVP Son Jun-ho.
One to observe – Son Jun-ho – A high quality field to field midfielder who can break up assaults and create possibilities.
Prediction – 2-0 win for Taishan, with Chongqing being overrun in the midst of the park.
Guangzhou v Guangzhou Metropolis
Tuesday, 20th April
Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou
The Guangzhou groups would be the solely CSL sides who get get pleasure from dwelling benefit within the first 14 spherical of this years competitors. And Guangzhou might be trying to make their dwelling benefit depend of their opening match as they play at their regular dwelling stadium towards native rivals Guangzhou Metropolis.
Metropolis are anticipated to ditch the gung-ho attacking type of soccer that they’ve turn out to be related to over the previous few years. And play a extra conservative model of soccer below new supervisor Jean-Paul van Gastel. This may occasionally repay over the course of the season, however towards Guangzhou they’re more likely to be merely outclassed by one of many CSL’s greatest groups.
One to observe – Wei Shihao – With Brazilians Talisca and Paulinho presently locked out of China, the gifted playmaker ought to get extra enjoying time and have an actual probability to shine.
Prediction – Guangzhou blow Metropolis away in 3-0 win.
Qingdao v Cangzhou Mighty Lions
Wednesday, 21st April
Yuexiushan Stadium, Guangzhou
Two groups with vastly contrasting off-seasons meet at one in every of China’s most historic stadiums for what must be one of the vital fascinating match ups of week one. Each side had been fairly poor final yr however Cangzhou underwent an in depth rebuild of their squad following their relocation from Shijiazhuang, whereas Qingdao had been comparatively inactive the switch market.
Cangzhou’s low season funding ought to make the distinction on Tuesday. Their squad now options a lot of gamers who regulars in Jiangsu’s title profitable marketing campaign final yr. And they need to now have sufficient high quality to have the ability to comfortably see off the likes Qingdao.
One to observe – Adama Diomande – The Norwegian striker was Cangzhou’s greatest signing this winter and he might want to often discover the web in these kind of video games.
Prediction – A 2-0 win for Cangzhou because the Mighty Lions get off to a roaring begin.
Henan Songshan Longmen v Shenzhen
Wednesday, 21st April
Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou
Two of the groups who’re anticipated to place in a a lot better displaying in 2021 meet in what guarantees to be one of many rounds most evenly contested match ups. That can see two of the leagues prime international coaches in Jordi Cruyff and Javier Pereria go face to face.
Henan might be a lot better defensively this yr. With Bosnian Toni Sunjic now on the membership on long-term foundation and combative younger full-back Dilmurat Mawlanyaz signing from Chongqing this winter. However it will likely be an actual take a look at for them to see if they’ll maintain off Shenzhen, given the quantity of international attacking expertise the Guangdong membership has introduced on this low season.
One to observe – Wu Yan – A wonderful shot-stopper and one in every of China’s most underrated goalkeepers, he’ll probably must be on prime type for Henan to have the ability to get one thing from the sport.
Prediction – 0-0 Henan climate the storm towards a Shenzhen assault that hasn’t fairly gelled but.
Dalian Professional v Changchun Yatai
Thursday, 22nd April
Jiangyin Sports activities Centre Stadium, Suzhou
Changchun Yatai return to the Chinese language Tremendous League after a two yr go away of absence and might be trying to get off the mark of their opening match towards Dalian Professional.
Dalian Professional didn’t considerably put money into bettering their squad this winter after a disappointing 2020 and might be significantly out gunned by a Changchun aspect that has introduced in an array of gifted international forwards this low season.
One to observe – Junior Negrao – One East Asia’s most prolific objective scorers lately, new signing Negrao might be trying to hit the bottom operating towards Dalian Professional.
Prediction – 3-1 to Changchun as they carry their momentum from final yr into the brand new season.
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger v Shanghai Port
Thursday, 22nd April
Kunshan Sports activities Centre Stadium, Suzhou
Tianjin Tiger play Shanghai Port on Thursday in what is going to probably be one the most important mismatches of the season.
Tainjin struggled in 2020 after which had an enormous chunk of their enjoying employees go away within the low season on account of the monetary points that plagued the membership this winter. Going into their opening match towards Shanghai Port they’ve a naked bones squad that’s being seen as probably the worst the CSL has seen since its inception.
How precisely Tianjin will shuffle their restricted deck of playing cards for Thursday’s sport is anybody’s guess. However nevertheless they line up they’ll be severely out gunned by one of many league’s prime groups.
One to observe – Aaron Mooy – The Australian hit a shock hat-trick in pre-season and will be capable to put in a dominant displaying towards Tiger.
Prediction – 5-0 Port run riot in what is going to probably be the primary of many drubbings for Tiger.
Hebei v Wuhan
Friday, 23rd April
Suzhou Sports activities Centre Stadium, Suzhou
Two evenly matched groups meet in Friday’s opening sport. Wuhan narrowly averted relegation final yr, however must be a a lot better staff this time spherical with Li Xiaopeng on the helm. Whether or not they are going to be adequate to notch a win of their opening match stays to be seen nevertheless.
Hebei have regressed considerably since final yr and their assault gained’t be the identical with out Ricardo Goulart, however Wuhan even have issues of their very own upfront with Brazilians Rafael Silva and Leo Baptistao presently unable to enter China.
Ultimately we might see each side cancel one another out as they battle to regulate to having extra restricted attacking choices.
One to observe – Marcao – If Hebei are capable of deliver him into the sport, Wuhan might be in bother.
Prediction – 0-0 stalemate with neither aspect doing fairly sufficient to interrupt the impasse.
Shanghai Shenhua v Beijing Guoan
Friday, 23rd April
Kunshan Sports activities Centre Stadium, Suzhou
Two of the Chinese language Tremendous League’s most historic golf equipment meet to play out one of many Chinese language soccer’s oldest rivalries in Suzhou on Friday night time.
Shenhua have introduced in a number of respectable signings over the winter, however haven’t improved sufficiently to be wherever close to near the identical degree as Guoan. Guoan have constantly been one of many league’s prime sides over the previous few years and must be trying to take all three factors in Slaven Bilic’s first aggressive sport in cost.
Shenhua must be strong on the again although and if they’ll maintain out for the primary 45 they might be capable to sneak a end result.
One to observe – Matej Jonjic – The Croatian centre-back was one in every of Shenhua’s huge signings this low season and can face a stern take a look at towards Guoan.
Prediction – Guoan edge out a nervy 1-0 win.
