Shandong Taishan will be bidding to make it three straight wins in the Chinese Super League when they continue their campaign against Nantong Zhiyun on Sunday.
The in-form visitors have picked up 28 points from their 16 league games this season to occupy fourth position in the table, while Nantong are down in 14th, having collected only 12 points thus far this term.
Match preview
Nantong are playing in the Chinese Super League for the first time in their history, having secured promotion to the top flight by finishing third in China League One in 2022.
Gabri's side have found it difficult to show consistency this term, boasting a record of two wins, six draws and eight defeats from their 16 matches, which has left them in 14th spot in the table on 12 points.
Nantong are only one point clear of the relegation zone at this moment in time, while they have not been victorious in the Chinese Super League since the start of June.
The promoted side, who were only founded in 2016, are unbeaten in their last three games, though, which have all been draws, including a 1-1 with Dalian Pro last time out.
Nantong have only picked up nine points from their eight home league games this term, and they will be welcoming a Shandong outfit that have lost just twice on their travels in the Chinese Super League this season.
Shandong have only won twice away from home, sharing the points on five occasions, but they have the second-best record on their travels behind Shanghai Port.
The visitors have picked up 28 points from their 16 Chinese Super League matches this season courtesy of a record of seven wins, seven draws and two defeats, which has left them in fourth position.
Shandong are two points behind third-placed Chengdu Rongcheng, three behind second-placed Shanghai Shenhua and nine off division leaders Shanghai Port.
Choi Kang-hee's side will enter this match in impressive form, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions, while they are unbeaten since the start of May.
Shandong will bring an 11-game unbeaten run in the Chinese Super League into Monday's contest, which includes victories in their last two against Henan and Shanghai Shenhua, beating the latter 3-0 last time out in what was a standout performance and result.
Team News
Rubilio Castillo has been the main source of goals for Nantong this season, finding the back of the net on four occasions, but the 31-year-old remains an injury doubt for this contest.
Head coach Gabri will need to make a final assessment on the fitness of his squad over the net 24 hours, but it would not be a surprise to see the same XI that started against Dalian Pro.
Romario Balde is set to continue as the left-sided attacker for Nantong, while Jiang Zilei is also expected to keep hold of his starting role for the home side here.
Shandong, meanwhile, should again have experienced Belgian Marouane Fellaini at the tip of their attack for Sunday's Chinese Super League contest.
The 35-year-old scored his fifth goal of the campaign against Shanghai Shenhua last time out and should retain his spot despite pressure in that position from Cryzan.
Chen Pu has also been in strong form this season, netting six times, and the 26-year-old will also feature for Shandong in the final third of the field on Sunday.
Nantong Zhiyun possible starting lineup:
Xiaodong; Wei, Bressan, Huan; Shinar, Song, Puclin, Morelatto; Zilei, Hong, Balde
Shandong Taishan possible starting lineup:
Dalei; Tong, Jadson, Zheng, Yang; Binbin, Moises, Lisheng, Yuanyi, Pu; Fellaini
We say: Nantong Zhiyun 0-2 Shandong Taishan
Nantong are capable of making this an uncomfortable match for Shandong, but we are finding it difficult to back against the visitors considering their excellent form. Shandong should ultimately have too much quality for their opponents, and we are expecting them to record their eighth league win of the campaign.
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