The Chinese Super League may have lost some of its shine with big stars leaving the league in recent years, but it’s still one of the most exciting football competitions in Asia with tons of things to bet on.

This guide will tell you some of the best Chinese Super League bets as we approach the halfway point of the season. 

Shanghai Port to Win the Chinese Super League

Through 12 weeks of the Chineses Super League season, there are two main contenders for the title; Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai Port. Most Chinese Super League football betting sites have Shanghai Shenhua as favorites right now thanks to their six point lead in the table right now. However, we think Shanghai Port can close the gap. 

The reigning champions Shanghai Port have two games in hand and a better goal difference than Shanghai Shenhua. Two wins in those make-up matches would put Shanghai Port top of the table. Closing that gap shouldn’t be a problem. 

The Red Eagles have the league’s best goal scorer, Wu Lei (more on him later), and the best overall team offense in the league.

No team maintains possession better than Shanghai Port, who average 61% possession per game. The club’s 32 goals scored also puts them 7 goals ahead of Shanghai Shenhua in the team goals table. 

The Red Eagles are also the most creative team in the league with 22 assists to their name. Former Chelsea attacker Oscar is leading the way individually on the assist front for Shanghai Port. The 32-year-old leads the league with 6 assists. 

These two teams drew 1-1 in the first Shanghai Derby of the season. They play again on August 17. If things are as close as they are now, that match could decide the title. Whatever the case, our money is on Shanghai Port to come out on top. Check our selected betting sites for the best possible odds.

Wu Lei to Win the Golden Boot

No player has scored more goals in Chinese Super League history than Wu Lei. He’s living up to his big reputation this season, leading the league in scoring.

Despite playing just 10 matches so far, the Chinese legend has scored 12 goals, three more than Shanghai Shenhua’s Louis in second with 9 goals. With stats like these, Lei is also our pick to win Chinese Super League player of the year. 

Given the gap and the games in hand, we don’t see Louis or any other non-Shanghai Port player catching Wu Lei. If you’re looking for an outsider though, Lei’s teammate Gustavo might be a good shout.

The 30-year-old Brazilian has scored seven goals in eight matches for the Red Eagles so far this season. He’s averaging a remarkable goal every 75 minutes. 

Lei has him beat now, scoring once every 70 minutes, but if Gustavo keeps scoring at this rate, he could surpass Lei in the scoring charts and end up as the Chinese Super League Golden Boot winner.

We could especially see this happening if the Chinese international is rested in the league for AFC Champions League Elite matches this summer. 

Shandong Taishan to Qualify For The AFC Champions League 2

The third place team in the Chinese Super League qualifies for the AFC Champions League 2, Asia’s equivalent of the Europa League. 

With the two Shanghai clubs, Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua, battling it out at the top of the table, this third place spot is the best many teams can hope for this season.

There are three teams currently in the running for third; Beijing Guoan, Chengdu Rongcheng, and Shandong Taishan. The final of those three is our pick to finish third this season. 

Shandong Taishan were runners up last season after putting together a strong run of results down the stretch. The Team of Mount Tai are just three points back of third place right now.

They have lost just once in their last six matches against Beijing Guoan and Chengdu Rongcheng, so we like their chances of being able to close the gap in head-to-head matches later in the season against those too. 

Shandong Taishan also have the chance to add one more foreign player this summer after clearing up a spot on their roster by acquiring naturalized player Fernandinho midway through last season. 

If you’re looking for a safer bet here, Beijing Guoan is a good shout. The Imperial Guards are currently in third, two points ahead of Chengdu Rongcheng and three in front of Shandong Taishan. 

Shenzhen Peng City to be Relegated

Qingdao Hainiu and Changchun Yatai currently sit in the relegation zone heading into Chinese Super League round 13. Both clubs are on 8 points each and look very much in threat of actually going down. However, thankfully for them, there are plenty of other teams who could take their spot before the season ends. 

There are at least six teams poor enough to go down this season. According to our football experts, Nantong Zhiyun is one of the most likely teams to be relegated from the Chinese Super League in 2024. 

Nantong Zhiyun, who play at the Rugao Olympic Sports Center in Rugao, Jiangsu, are lucky to be a Chinese Super League team this season. They flirted with relegation all season long last year before miraculously surviving largely thanks to two financial meltdowns at Dalian Pro and Shenzhen. 

Through 11 matches this season, Nantong Zhiyun have 9 points. They are just one point out of the relegation zone and almost level on goal differential with Changchun Yatai, the current 15th place side.

Their only saving grace this season is that there might be some teams worse than them. We’re willing to bet Nantong Zhiyun’s luck finally runs out though and that they go down this season. 

If you’re not convinced, some safer bets to go down include Qingdao Hainiu and Meizhou Hakka. Qingdao Hainiu are currently bottom of the table with no chances of that changing on the horizon. Meizhou Hakka, meanwhile, have scored just eight goals all season. Only Qingdao Hainiu have scored less.