Preview: Meizhou Hakka vs. Chengdu Qianbao - prediction, team news, lineups

Fresh off the back of picking up their first win of the season, Chengdu Qianbao take a trip to the Wuhua Hengpi Football Town to face Meizhou Hakka on Monday.

Milan Ristic's side head into the game unbeaten in each of their four home games this season and will be looking to maintain this impressive record.

Match preview

Meizhou Hakka were denied a third consecutive victory for the first time this year as they were held to a goalless draw by a dogged Beijing Guoan side.

In an end-to-end affair at the Meixian Tsang Hin-chi Stadium, both sides were guilty of a lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch as they failed to tuck home their chances before settling for a share of the spoils.

Prior to that, Meizhou Hakka ended their three-game winless run when they saw off Cangzhou Mighty Lions 4-1 on June 29 before claiming a 1-0 victory against Shenzhen four days later.

With 14 points from nine games, Ristic's men are currently seventh in the Chinese Super League standings, six points off Henan Songshan Longmen in the AFC Champions League qualification spot.

While Meizhou Hakka will be looking to return to winning ways, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to defeat in each of their last four attempts, losing twice and claiming two draws in that time.

Elsewhere, Chengdu Qianbao got their league campaign up and running last time out when they claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tianjin Jinmen Tigers.

Dun Ba struck in the 51st minute to cancel out Ruibao Hu's first-half opener but 18-year-old Mutellip Iminqari netted in the 73rd minute to hand the hosts their first win of the season.

Prior to that, Seo Jung-won's side kicked off the new season with successive defeats against Shenzhen and Beijing Guoan before picking up six draws from their subsequent six outings.

With nine points from nine games, Chengdu Qianbao are currently 14th in the league standings, but could rise as high as 10th place with all three points on Monday.

Team News

Ristic will be unable to call upon the services of 30-year-old midfielder Yihu Yang, who has missed the last five games through a calf injury.

Wei Cui failed to make his mark against Beijing Guoan last time out before coming off at half time and the former Shandong Taishan man could drop to the bench, with Liang Shi pushing for a starting role.

Meanwhile, Chengdu Qianbao will be without the services of Felipe Silva after the Brazilian forward was hauled off with a 34th-minute injury against Tianjin Jinmen Tigers last time out.

In his absence, former Guangzhou City man Xiang Baixu will push for a role in the starting XI, teaming up with Guichao Wu and Iminqari at the attacking end of the pitch.

In what was just his second start of the season, Iminqari turned in a worthy performance against the Tigers and the teenager could retain his place at the attacking end of the pitch.

Meizhou Hakka possible starting lineup:

Hou; Chen, Dugalic, Liao, Li; Kosovic, Cui; Li, C Yin, Yang; Vukanovic

Chengdu Qianbao possible starting lineup:

Geng; Liu, Windbichler, R Hu; Kim, Rui, T Chow, Iminqari; Romulo, Baixu, Wu

We say: Meizhou Hakka 1-2 Chengdu Qianbao

Newly-promoted Chengdu Qianbao appear to have finally settled into the top flight and will head into Monday with renewed confidence following their first win of the season. We are backing them to carry on the momentum from their performance against the Tigers and come away with a slender victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.