TIPS - Shanghai Shenhua VS Ulsan HD FC

[(Shanghai Shenhua) Strength]:
1. After this AFC Champions League Elite match, Shanghai Shenhua will have a short break. The big win over Meizhou Hakka in the last round also allowed the starters to get considerable rotation and adjustment time. Playing at home on National Day, Shanghai Shenhua will undoubtedly aim to secure all 3 points!
2. After this match against Ulsan HD FC, there is about a two-week gap before the next Chinese Super League match against Qingdao West Coast, giving Shanghai Shenhua ample time for physical recovery and form adjustment. The players have little psychological burden for this game.
3. Shanghai Shenhua have a high win rate in AFC Champions League Elite home matches, with 4 wins and 1 loss in the last 5 games. In their recent two AFC Champions League Elite home matches, they defeated strong J1 League teams like Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale.
4. Although Shanghai Shenhua have lost two foreign forwards, the team have maintained good offensive form recently, scoring 11 goals in the past 4 matches, averaging nearly 3 goals per game.

[(Shanghai Shenhua) Weakness]:
1. Shanghai Shenhua's foreign players Andre Luis and Saulo Mineiro continue to be sidelined due to injuries, weakening the team's offensive firepower. The newly signed forward Luis Asue has performed averagely and still needs time to integrate.
2. Shanghai Shenhua's recent results have declined significantly, with only 3 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses in the past 10 matches. The big win over Meizhou Hakka in the last round ended a four-match winless streak, indicating fluctuating form.
3. Shanghai Shenhua lost all three previous AFC Champions League Elite encounters against Ulsan HD FC, including a 1-2 home defeat last December, giving them no psychological advantage.
4. Shanghai Shenhua's recent performance in AH has been poor, with only 2 wins in the last 10 matches and just 1 win in the last 4 home games.

[(Ulsan HD FC) Strength]:
1. In their first AFC Champions League Elite match, Ulsan HD FC defeated Chengdu Rongcheng, who currently rank second in the Chinese Super League. Their last two AFC Champions League Elite wins have both come against Chinese Super League teams.
2. Ulsan HD FC have a perfect record of 3 wins in AFC Champions League Elite matches against Shanghai Shenhua, scoring 9 goals in those games, which may provide the team with some confidence.

[(Ulsan HD FC) Weakness]:
1. Ulsan HD FC currently rank 10th in the K League 1, facing a tough situation in the race for the championship playoffs. The team may need to balance between the league and the AFC Champions League Elite, and with a challenging match against Gimcheon Sangmu in four days, they might be distracted in this away game against Shanghai Shenhua, lacking sufficient motivation to win.
2. Ulsan HD FC's performance in the league this season has been disastrous, currently ranking third from the bottom and trailing by 5 points for a playoff spot. This is their worst performance in nearly a decade.
3. Ulsan HD FC's away performance has been very poor, with no wins in their last 10 competitive away matches, recording only 5 draws and 5 losses.
4. Ulsan HD FC's defensive performance in recent AFC Champions League Elite away matches has been poor, conceding 13 goals in the last 5 away games, averaging over 2 goals per match.
5. Ulsan HD FC's recent performance in AH has been dismal, with only 2 wins in the last 10 matches and a win rate of just 10% in the last 10 away games.

[Tips]:
Although Shanghai Shenhua have been at an absolute disadvantage in historical encounters, their recent form is significantly better than Ulsan HD FC, especially after a 6-1 victory over Meizhou Hakka in the last league match, which has boosted morale.

Shanghai Shenhua have strong offensive firepower and perform well at home, while Ulsan HD FC have fragile away defense, conceding over 2 goals per game on average in the AFC Champions League Elite.

Despite Ulsan HD FC's psychological advantage from historical encounters, their current form and away performance make it difficult for them to secure a result at Shanghai Shenhua's home ground.

The absence of two starting forwards due to injury is a disadvantage for Shanghai Shenhua, but the improved form of Luis Asue and the outstanding performances of young players can partially compensate for this loss.

Considering Shanghai Shenhua's home advantage, offensive firepower, and Ulsan HD FC's poor form and away defensive issues, it is predicted that Shanghai Shenhua will secure a victory relying on their home advantage.

[Recommended]:
Shanghai Shenhua (-0.5)