Meizhou Hakka face a very tough test in the Chinese Super League when they host Chengdu Qianbao at the Huitang Stadium on Friday night.
The hosts are 14th in the table heading into the game, and they could drop into the relegation zone if they fail to win, while the hosts are up in third place.
Match preview
Meizhou Hakka have collected just 10 points from their opening 14 Chinese Super League games, meaning they are just one point above the bottom two, as we approach the halfway stage of the season.
A major issue for Milan Ristic's side has been their defensive record, having conceded 26 league goals so far this season, more than any other side in the division, with their frailties at the back becoming particularly apparent in recent weeks.
The Guangdong-based club have conceded 13 goals in their last five league games, of which they have lost four, but they did manage to stop the rot in their trip to Nantong Zhiyun last time out.
When Romario Balde netted a 90th-minute goal for Nantong Zhiyun to make it 2-1, Meizhou Hakka must have thought all hope was lost, but they kept their cool, and Chaosheng Yang found the back of the net with a 99th-minute equaliser.
Having finally brought their run of losses to an end, Meizhou Hakka should be feeling a little more confident, but they have a very poor recent record against Friday's opponents, losing four and drawing two of their last six encounters.
Not only that, Chengdu Qianbao have been fantastic this season, currently sitting just six points off top spot, having acquired 27 points in 14 games, and they were undefeated in the Chinese Super League until their last match.
The Sichuan-based club came up short at home against a mid-table Beijing Guoan side, with Nebijan Muhmet netting the only goal of the game, but they dominated the majority of the game, recording 27 shots compared to just seven from their opponents.
Manager Seo Jung-won will be hoping the last result was just a blip, and he will be eager for his side to get back on track as they get back on the road, aiming to win their third away game on the spin in the Chinese Super League.
Although it is difficult to criticise Chengdu Qianbao's season so far, they do have a tendency to draw too many games against sides they should be beating, being held to a 0-0 draw against bottom-of-the-table Dalian Pro earlier in the campaign.
Team News
Meizhou Hakka will have to make do without Yang Yiln, as the left-winger was sent off just minutes after being brought on as a substitute last time out, meaning Chugui Ye is set to keep his place in the side.
On the opposite flank, Guokang Chen could drop to the bench, with Chaosheng Yang being rewarded with a start, in light of his goal after being brought off the bench against Nantong Zhiyun.
Felipe Silva is the danger man for Chengdu Qianbao, having weighed in with five goals and three assists in the Chinese Super League so far this season, and the Brazilian is set to lead the line in a 3-4-3 system.
Elkeson and Manuel Palacios are set to support from the flanks, while Feng Zhuoyi could be brought back into the team in midfield, having been brought on as a substitute in the last match, with Chao Gan dropping out of the side.
Meizhou Hakka possible starting lineup:
Cheng; Yue, Liao, Wen, Rao; Shi, Kosovic, Ye, Yang, Yin; Yin
Chengdu Qianbao possible starting lineup:
Zhang; Liu, Windbichler, Hu; Tang, Chow, Gan, Kim; Palacios, Elkeson, Silva
We say: Meizhou Hakka 0-2 Chengdu Qianbao
Chengdu Qianbao have won their last two away matches without conceding a goal, most recently defeating Shenzhen 3-0, and they should have no issues comfortably dispatching of Meizhou Hakka.
Although the hosts managed to scrape a point in their last match, they have been very poor for a number of weeks, failing to win at home since the beginning of May.
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