Chengdu Qianbao will be looking to pick up their first Chinese Super League win of the season when they host Tianjin Jinmen Tiger on Friday.
The visitors, meanwhile, saw their run of three consecutive victories come to an end last time out and head into the weekend seeking to quickly return to winning ways.
Match preview
Chengdu Qianbao were denied their first win of the season as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Cangzhou Mighty Lions when the sides met on Monday.
After going ahead courtesy of Min-woo Kim's first-half strike, Oscar Taty Maritu converted his 77th-minute penalty for a share of the spoils at the Wuhua Olympic Sports Center.
Seo Jung-won's side have now been involved in a share of the spoils in each of their last six outings since opening the season with successive defeats against Shenzhen and Beijing Guoan.
With six points from a possible 24, Chengdu Qianbao are currently 15th in the Super League standings, three points above Guangzhou FC in the relegation places.
On the other hand, Yu Genwei's Tianjin Jinmen Tiger were sent crashing back down to earth as they fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Beijing Guoan last weekend.
Following a drab first half at the Meixian Tsang Hin-chi Stadium, Samir Memisevic netted twice in the opening 24 minutes of the second half to put the visitors in a comfortable lead before Yuanjie Su pulled one back in the 77th minute.
Prior to that, the Tiger failed to win any of their opening four outings, picking up two points in that time, before claiming three successive victories against Cangzhou Mighty Lions, Meizhou Hakka and Shenzhen respectively.
With 11 points from eight games, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger are currently 10th in the league table, level on points with 11th-placed Changchun Yatai, but could rise as high as sixth spot with all three points on Friday.
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Team News
With his opener on Monday, Kim now boasts three goal involvements in his last three outings and we expect the 32-year-old to retain his place at the centre of the park.
He should be joined in midfield by the trio of Mutellip Iminqari, Tim Chow and Gan Rui, while Guichao Wu, Felipe Silva and Romulo should spearhead the attack.
On the injury front, Chengdu Qianbao remain without the services of 34-year-old defender Guanghui Han, who has been ruled out through a long-term injury.
Meanwhile, Su came off the bench to pull one back for Tianjin Jinmen Tiger last time out and the 27-year-old could be rewarded with a starting role this weekend.
David Andujar has started each of the Tiger's eight games this season and the Spanish defender should handle business at the heart of the back four once again alongside 30-year-old Song Yue.
Chengdu Qianbao possible starting lineup:
Geng; Liu, Windbichler, R Hu; Kim, Rui, T Chow, Iminqari; Romulo, Wu, Silva
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger possible starting lineup:
Xu; Wang, Yue, Andujar, Su; Shi, Beric, Tian, Wang, Ba; Xie
We say: Chengdu Qianbao 1-1 Tianjin Jinmen Tiger
Tianjin Jinmen Tiger will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways as they face an out-of-sorts Chengdu Qianbao side who are yet to taste victory this season. While we anticipate a cagey affair at the Wuhua Hengpi Football Town, we predict that the hosts will leave with another share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
