Seeking to pick up their first Super League win of the season, Chengdu Qianbao visit the Huitang Stadium to face Beijing Guoan in round seven of the Chinese Super League on Thursday.
The Imperial Guards, on the other hand, head into the game unbeaten in each of their last five outings and will look to keep the ball rolling.
Match preview
Beijing Guoan maintained their fine run of results as they fought back from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw at Cangzhou Mighty Lions last Saturday.
Piao Shihao struck in the seventh minute at the Wuhua Hengpi Football Town to hand the hosts the lead before Yuning Zhang converted his 84th-minute penalty to force a share of the spoils.
The Imperial Guards are now unbeaten in each of their last five outings, picking up three wins and two draws since a 2-1 loss against Cangzhou Mighty Lions in the league opener on June 5.
Beijing Guoan now return to home turf where they will be seeking to pick up a third consecutive victory after seeing off Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Shenzhen respectively in their previous two.
With 11 points from six games, Xie Feng's side are currently fifth in the Super League standings, five points off Shandong Taishan in the AFC Champions League qualification places.
Chengdu Qianbao, meanwhile, were involved in a share of the spoils for the fourth game on the trot last time out when they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Shenzhen.
Ruibao Hu scored an own goal 20 minutes after giving the Chengdu-based side the lead, and after Chae-min Im struck in the 59th minute to put the visitors ahead, Tao Liu restored parity for the second time in the game with a 78th-minute strike.
Seo Jung-won's men are now one of three sides yet to taste victory in the new campaign, picking up four points from their opening six games to sit 15th in the league standings.
However, Chengdu Qianbao head into Thursday's game unbeaten in six of their last seven away games across all competitions, picking up four wins and two draws since last November.
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Team News
Beijing Guoan will take to the pitch without the services of Li Ke, who has been out of action since sustaining an injury while on international duty for China against Maldives on June 11.
He is joined on the club's injury table by Pengxiang Jin, who has missed the last two games through an ankle injury, and Quanbo Guo, who is yet to feature this year.
Chengdu Qianbao will once again make do with the absence of full-back Guanghui Han, who has been sidelined through an arm injury.
Hu Mingtian remains a doubt for the visitors after missing the game against Shenzhen last time out through an injury he sustained versus Meizhou Hakka on June 20.
Tao Liu and Ruibao Hu both got on the scoresheet at the weekend and we expect the duo to retain their position in the back three, alongside 31-year-old Richard Windbichler.
Beijing Guoan possible starting lineup:
Zou; Shaowen, Yu, C Zhang; Wang, Z Chi, Memisevic, X Zhang, S Kang; Dabro, Y Zhang
Chengdu Qianbao possible starting lineup:
Geng; Liu, Windbichler, R Hu; Kim, G Chao, T Chow, H Hu; Romulo, Wu; Silva
We say: Beijing Guoan 2-1 Chengdu Qianbao
While Beijing Guoan are unbeaten in five straight outings, Chengdu Qianbao are one of just three sides yet to taste victory this season. Given their contrasting form, it is hard to envisage any other outcome than the Imperial Guards coming out with all three points on home turf.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
