Prediction Ulsan HD vs Chengdu Rongcheng 2025/2026 – Betting Tips for the AFC Champions League Elite on 17/09/2025

Match Outlook: East Stage Opener at Ulsan Munsu

The East stage of the AFC Champions League Elite opens in Ulsan on 17 September, and the fixture between Ulsan HD and Chengdu Rongcheng promises a clash with clear momentum on one side. Ulsan arrive at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium carrying a worrying sequence: in their last ten outings they have managed just a single victory, with a run that reads D-L-L-L-W-L-D-L-L-D. Recent domestic results underline that inconsistency — a 1-1 draw away at Pohang was the most recent respite, sandwiched between heavy defeats and narrow losses. The home crowd of 44,102 will hope the venue lifts their side, but form and recent scorelines suggest Ulsan are under pressure.

Chengdu Rongcheng, by contrast, head to South Korea brimming with confidence. Their last ten matches display sustained winning form with eight victories, a single draw and only one defeat. Recent performances include emphatic wins such as a 5-1 away triumph and a 4-1 success, and they followed that up with a solid 1-0 victory in their most recent outing against Changchun Yatai. The statistical snapshot available for Chengdu points to an attack that can both produce opportunities and convert them: an average of 11 shots with five on target in recorded data, and healthy attacking metrics like an average of six corners and a dangerous attacks figure that underlines their potency in the final third.

Tactical Considerations and Key Recent Performers

Tactically, the clear narrative is that Chengdu’s relentless form should give them an edge in confidence and rhythm. Ulsan’s season has been marred by defensive frailties and mixed results, while Chengdu have shown they can both score freely and grind out tight victories when needed. Individual mentions from recent matches reflect these trends: Yool Heo was the best-rated performer for Ulsan in their draw with Pohang, while Timo Letschert stood out for Chengdu in their last win. Those names signal who has been influential for each side in the immediate preparations for this tie.

The setting in Ulsan will be lively, but home advantage alone looks unlikely to overturn the gap in recent performances. Chengdu’s attacking output and sequence of wins suggest they arrive as the more likely winners, while Ulsan must arrest a slide that has seen them concede in multiple matches and struggle for consistency.

Betting suggestion: 1X2 — Back Chengdu Rongcheng to win (Away). Based on Chengdu’s dominant form, recent high-scoring victories and superior momentum compared to Ulsan’s uneven run, the away win is the clearest market selection.