Henan Songshan Longmen will have the chance to leapfrog their opponents with a victory when they host ninth-placed Zhejiang Professional on Friday.
There are just three points and one place between the two teams in the Chinese Super League heading into this game, giving both plenty to play for.
Match preview
Henan Songshan Longmen have had a mixed start to the Chinese Super League this season, with two wins, five draws and four defeats so far.
Only one other team in the division has drawn more games at this point, and the inability to turn those into victories has been what has kept them in a mid-table position for now.
Sergio Diaz's men showcased that they can get over that hump last weekend, though, when they came back from behind to defeat Meizhou Hakka 2-1.
Despite the fact they conceded in the sixth minute of the game, a second-half brace from Nemanja Covic secured all three points, which pushed them closer to their opponents this week.
With only three points between them and Zhejiang Professional, a win on Friday would allow Henan Songshan Longmen the chance to climb above them and edge closer to the top half of the table.
However, the visitors will be keen to avoid that happening, especially since a win for them would create some real breathing room between the two teams.
Jordi Vinyals has got his team playing some attractive football as of late, which has led to Zhejiang Professional having a four-match unbeaten streak heading into this fixture.
The Green Giants have been particularly impressive from an attacking perspective during that run as well, scoring 10 goals across those games which includes six in their past two.
Zhejiang Professional blew away their opponents last weekend with a confident 3-0 display as Junsheng Yao, Jean Kouassi and Nyasha Mushekwi all got themselves on the scoresheet.
While the Green Giants might have one look over their shoulder to try and push away from their opponents in the table, a victory could also see them climb as high as sixth depending on other results.
Team News
Covic is going to be the key danger man for the hosts this Friday as he heads into this game having scored three times in the previous two matches.
Henan Songshan Longmen switched up their formation to a 3-4-3 during their most recent outing, and considering that was met with a victory it could be something that is used again.
The visitors will have Mushekwi available to lead the line or them as he has been doing lately, and coming off the back of a goal he should have plenty of confidence in this match.
The Green Giants were impressive last weekend and that could lead to Vinyals making no changes in this one to keep the momentum going.
Henan Songshan Longmen possible starting lineup:
Wang; Sunjic, Gu, Yang; Luo, Li, Tudi, Zhong; Covic, Song, Goa
Zhejiang Professional possible starting lineup:
Zhao; Dong, Sun, Leung, Yue; Li, N'Doumbou; Ewolo, Yao, Kouassi; Mushekwi
We say: Henan Songshan Longmen 0-3 Zhejiang Professional
While Henan Songshan Longmen have the home advantage for this fixture, it is the visitors who are in fine form as of late, and their attacking qualities will likely prove to be too much in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
