The action of the Asian Football Championship boils underneath the main stage as Chinese side Shandong Taishan draws the thin red line against Thai League 1 giants Bangkok United in the preliminaries. The two sides are desperate to make a decisive first impression without – having not met before. The charismatic home side is favored in this clash and is expected to deliver goals from both ends.
Shandong Taishan
Recent Form: W-L-L-L
Key Player:Â Li Sheng Liao
Arguably one of the most solid teams in the Chinese Football Federation, Shandong Taishan has shown worrisome lacklusterness in the first four games of the domestic league. Home fans clamor for a change as the 4-4-2 fielded by Head Coach Kang Hee Choi has failed to yield desired results for the side considered giants.
 A couple of stars are expected to grease their way to victory, with midfielder Lisheng Liao expected to excel as a playmaker for his team while doubling back as a defensive addition. Goalie Dalei Wang is also expected to guard the posts with his outrageous saves, minimizing the visiting threat and, when chanced, providing long throws toward his flanks, bolstering their attacks.
Bangkok United
Recent Form: W-W
Key Player: Peerapat Notchaiya
Bangkok United plays this game with a latent air of superiority. Despite the odds of victory being biased towards the hosting opponents, the team looks to fortify its nerves with a treble of wins, having begun its domestic league campaign with a stamp of authority over opposing rivals.
Unlike Shandong Taishan, Bangkok fields a conservative 4-3-3 formation that maintains fluidity between attack and defense. Like their modus operandi, the team may eventually sacrifice goals to clinch a win.
Defensive left-back Peerapat Notchaiya and Midfielder Thitipan Puangchan are expected to repeat their previous displays of excellence, beating the opposition under strange clouds.
H2H ANALYSIS (LAST FIVE MEETINGS)
This will be the first clash between the sides.
Expert Betting Tips
Shandong Taishan has done little to spur confidence in the hearts of their home fans this season. On the other hand, the visitors have been goal-driven in their recent exploits. We expect goals.
- Our first option is Over 2.5 match goals between the sides at 1.95 odds from 1xbet;
- The next option is a BTTS at 1.70 odds from Betway;
- Our final and most daring choice is for Bangkok United to win full-time. Bet365 tops this choice at 2.87 odds. Remember, odds are just numbers. Good luck, mate!