Dalian Pro vs Shandong Taishan

Mission Hills Football Base Stadium is the venue as Dalian Pro and Shandong Taishan go head-to-head in an exciting Chinese Super League encounter.

Dalian Pro head into proceedings in the midst of a rough patch having won just one of their last seven Chinese Super League matches (D3, L3). Indeed, it’s been an underwhelming start to the season for the ‘Blue Hawks,’ as they’ve won just two (22%) of their opening nine league fixtures (D4, L3), explaining why they currently hover in the bottom half of the standings. Moreover, since beating basement boys Guangzhou City 2-0 in their inaugural home game of the season, they’ve gone winless in their subsequent three home league outings (D2, L1). Shandong’s upcoming visit could be just what the doctor ordered, as Xie Hui’s men have won two of their last three top-flight  H2Hs as hosts (L1).

On the other hand, visiting Shandong Taishan have hit the ground running since a 2-0 defeat away to Zhejiang Professional in late June, racking up a three-game winning streak in the Chinese Super League. With table-topping Wuhan Three Towns sitting four points clear, Shandong’s hopes of landing a fifth top-flight title are still very much alive. But to achieve their goal, the ‘Taishan Dui’ will have to improve their indifferent away league record this season (W2, L2). Scoring first could play a significant role in helping Shandong walk away with an all-important three points, as their four away league matches (won/lost) saw the winner open the scoring.