Preview: Dalian Pro vs. Zhejiang Professional - prediction, team news, lineups

Dalian Pro will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they play host to Zhejiang Professional in the Chinese Super League on Thursday.

While the hosts occupy a top-half place, Zhejiang sit in 15th position after picking up just one point this season.

Match preview

Dalian Pro will be content with their start to the season after collecting five points from their opening three games.

The campaign got underway with a 2-2 away draw against Henan Songshan Longmen before they took on Guangzhou City in their first home encounter of the season.

Sun Guowen opened the scoring for the hosts in the sixth minute before Yan Xiangchuang scored what proved to be the final goal halfway through the first period, securing Dalian Pro their first win of the season.

Xie Hui's side got off to another fine start in Sunday's meeting with Changchun Yatai, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Shang Yin.

However, Erik's 59th-minute equaliser denied Dalian Pro the chance to clinch consecutive victories, although the draw did keep their unbeaten start intact.

Zhejiang, meanwhile, are back in the top flight after winning promotion via the playoffs last season.

The positive feeling generated by their promotion campaign may have slightly ebbed away after collecting just one point from their three Chinese Super League contests.

After losing 1-0 to Shandong Taishan on the opening day of the season, Zhejiang offered a response in their first home game of the campaign by playing out a goalless draw against Changchun Yatai to get themselves on the board with a point.

However, they were unable to build upon that point as they fell to a 3-1 away defeat to Henan Sanshong Longmen at the weekend.

After losing both away matches this season, Zhejiang may not be too keen to head back on their travels for Thursday's contest, although they will be motivated to clinch their first win of the season.

Team News

Although they had to settle for a point on Sunday, Dalian Pro are expected to keep changes to a minimum for Thursday's contest.

Lin Liangming featured as a second-half substitute against Changchun Yatai, and the 25-year-old could replace Zhu Ting in the forward line.

He will be joined in the front three by Yan and Shang, with the latter aiming to find the net in back-to-back games.

As for the visitors, they will have to do without Zhang Jiaqi, who is suspended for Thursday's encounter after being sent off against Henan Songshan Longmen.

Zhang's suspension could open the door for Yao Junsheng to be given his first start of the season after appearing as a substitute in Zhejiang's last two matches.

Nyasha Mushekwi will continue to lead the line for the visitors, with the forward aiming to open his account for the season.

Dalian Pro possible starting lineup:

C. Zhang; Tong, Dong, Lo. Lin, Sun; P. Lu, J. Huang, Fei; Shang, Li. Lin, Yan

Zhejiang Professional possible starting lineup:

Zhao; D. Gao, Sun, Leung, Yue; Ewolo, Gu, Yao, Andrijasevic, Cheng; Mushekwi

We say: Dalian Pro 2-1 Zhejiang Professional

Dalian Pro will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record, and after winning their first home game of the season, we think that they will utilise home advantage once again to edge out Zhejiang who are still searching for their first win of the campaign.

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