Chinese Super League: Soccer Goes East
Overview of a Growing Giant
History of the Chinese Super League (CSL)
Launched in 2004 from the roots of the former Chinese Jia-A League, the Chinese Super League was born out of a need to elevate the professional standard of football in China. Governed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the CSL replaced the old Jia-A League with a more commercially sustainable model, aiming to match global football standards.
The Chinese soccer league began with 12 teams and has expanded to 16, reflecting its increasing popularity. And the soccer predictions for this league go wild…
Chinese Super League Format and Structure
The CSL operates on a double round-robin system, where each of the 16 teams plays each other twice — once at home and once away — over the course of the season, which starts in February or March and concludes in November or December.
Teams battle for top spots to gain entry into the Asian Football Confederation’s Champions League. The bottom two teams face relegation to China League One, with competitive tension throughout the season with the ongoing Chinese Super League matches.
Current and All-Time Team Champs
Since its inception, Guangzhou FC hold the record with eight championships, underlining their dominance in the league. Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Port also have many titles, with the latter winning the most recent season in 2023.
The current season features 16 teams, each battling against the threat of relegation. Teams like the defending champions Shanghai Port, along with other strong teams such as Guangzhou FC and Shandong Taishan, continue to make every match crucial.
Chinese Super League Teams – Currently
- Shanghai Shenhua FC – Dominating the league with 19 points from 7 matches, they have an impressive streak with 6 wins and 1 draw.
- Chengdu Better City FC – Close on the heels of the leaders, Chengdu Better City has accumulated 18 points with 6 wins and 1 loss.
- Shanghai SIPG FC – With 14 points from 6 games, including 4 wins and 2 draws, Shanghai SIPG has 15 goals scored and a +8 goal differential.
- Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC – This team stands with 13 points after 7 matches, winning 4, drawing 1, and losing 2.
- Beijing Guoan FC – Mid-table Beijing Guoan has gathered 12 points from 7 games, with 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.
| Club | Champions | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liaoning | 8 | 6 | 1978, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 |
| Guangzhou | 8 | 4 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 |
| Dalian Shide | 8 | 0 | 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 |
| Beijing Guoan | 6 | 5 | 1957, 1958, 1973, 1982, 1984, 2009 |
| Bayi | 5 | 6 | 1953, 1974, 1977, 1981, 1986 |
| Shandong Taishan | 5 | 6 | 1999, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2021 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 3 | 11 | 1961, 1962, 1995 |
| Tianjin Jinmen Tiger | 2 | 5 | 1960, 1980 |
| Shanghai Port | 2 | 3 | 2018, 2023 |
| North East | 2 | 0 | 1951, 1954 |
| Beijing Sports Institute | 2 | 0 | 1955, 1964 |
| Jiangsu | 1 | 2 | 2020 |
| Guangdong Winnerway | 1 | 1 | 1979 |
| China B | 1 | 1 | 1989 |
| Shenzhen | 1 | 1 | 2004 |
| Changchun Yatai | 1 | 1 | 2007 |
| Beijing Youth B | 1 | 0 | 1956 |
| Beijing Youth | 1 | 0 | 1963 |
| Yanbian Funde | 1 | 0 | 1965 |
| Wuhan Three Towns | 1 | 0 | 2022 |
Chinese Super League Stats
- Goal Scoring Efficiency: Shanghai SIPG FC leads in average goals per match at 3.67, indicating a highly-offensive playing style.
- Defensive Strength: Shanghai Shenhua FC has the highest clean sheet percentage at 57%.
- Chance Creation: Despite their position, teams like Sichuan Jiuniu FC and Henan Jianye FC excel in games with over 1.5 goals scored, pointing to open, attacking play styles.
- Current Dynamics and Trends
The general Chinese Super League table shows a competitive mix of Chinese Super League standings, tactical gameplay, with teams like Shanghai Shenhua FC and Chengdu Better City FC setting top standards.
The middle of the table is tightly packed, where a couple of game results can significantly alter team positions.
At the lower end of the general table, Qingdao Jonoon FC and Changchun Yatai FC face challenges, underlined by their negative goal differences and lower points tally.
Of course, all this lets us know what Chinese Super League odds to throw your way!
Leading Scorers Shaping the Game
Wu Lei, the league’s all-time top scorer with 138 goals, has been a significant figure in promoting the league’s competitiveness and talent level. The Chinese League player stats below don’t leave any room for doubt.
Chinese Super League Top Scorers
- Wu Lei – A stalwart of Shanghai Port and the top scorer with 138 goals from 220 appearances, Wu Lei’s remarkable consistency makes him a standout figure in CSL history.
- Elkeson – With dual nationality (China and Brazil), Elkeson has scored 130 goals in 212 appearances across three clubs, displaying lethal finishing skills.
- Eran Zahavi – The Israeli forward has been prolific for Guangzhou City, netting 91 goals in just 106 appearances.
- Gao Lin – Another high scorer with 91 goals over 321 appearances for three different clubs.
- Ricardo Goulart – This Brazilian midfielder turned striker has an impressive tally of 81 goals from 131 appearances, showing his knack for goal-scoring despite his midfield origins.
As of the 2024 season, several of these legendary figures are still active, continuing to push the boundaries of the sport. Each of these players tell us of the international influence on Chinese football, from Brazilian flair and Israeli precision to homegrown talent.
Current Outlook for the CSL
The Chinese Super League is on a path to greater recognition in the global football arena, contributing to the sport’s international appeal and competitiveness. The league continues to remain a central pillar of China’s sports entertainment industry.
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