Prediction Shanghai Shenhua vs Ulsan HD 2025/2026 – Betting Tips for the AFC Champions League Elite on 01/10/2025

Match context and form lines

Shanghai Shenhua returns to Shanghai Stadium on October 1 with momentum from a thumping 6-1 victory over Meizhou Hakka in the Super League just days ago. That result punctuates a mixed sequence for Shenhua — their recent ten-match string reads W-D-L-D-L-W-D-L-D-W, a run that promises sparks but also flashes of inconsistency. In continental terms they sit with one group game played and no points from a 1-2 reverse, so this is a chance to right the ship in front of a large home crowd at a venue that holds 72,000. Ulsan HD arrive from Korea having drawn 1-1 with Daegu in their latest outing. Their form line shows more grinding results — D-D-W-D-L-L-L-W-L-D — and they travel buoyed by a win and several draws in competitive fixtures.

Tactical contrast and statistical edge

The numbers paint a clear picture of contrasting styles. Ulsan HD dominate the shot charts and chance creation: 17 total shots with 10 on target on average in the data provided, 107 attacks and 73 dangerous attacks per game, plus an average of seven corners. That attacking output explains why they top their group with a 2-1 scoreline in the opening round. Shanghai, by comparison, shows a lower-volume attacking profile — three shots on average, 76 attacks and 31 dangerous attacks — but they can be clinical: their 6-1 scoreline in the most recent match underlines finishing potential and confidence among the ranks. The head-to-head history tilts towards Ulsan in the recent meeting, where they won 2-1 in the same competition last December, so Shanghai will be keen to avenge that result on home soil.

What to expect on the night

Expect a lively contest. Ulsan will look to impose themselves with superior possession and repeated entries into the box, while Shanghai will try to make the most of transitions and set-piece moments — the corners disparity suggests Ulsan will press, but Shenhua have shown they can punish defensive lapses. The game could swing on moments of concentration: Ulsan’s attacking volume can create chances, yet Shanghai’s recent scoring explosion warns that conceding a soft goal could prove costly.

Betting suggestion: For a single-market pick, the clearest value from the current picture is on the home side. Bookmakers make Shanghai Shenhua the favorite at 1.83 (implied probability 54.64%), and with the home advantage, the late-season boost from a 6-1 win and the motivation to recover in the group, backing Shanghai Shenhua to win (1) in the 1X2 market is the recommended play. Consider a measured stake given Ulsan’s attacking threat and the potential for a close game.