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With the re-scheduled matches out of the way the Chinese Super League is now back for its first full game week after the prolonged international break. This week features a number of fascinating match-ups with some teams looking to pick up where they left off while others will be hoping for a fresh start after break.
So let’s get to it and take a look at all eight fixtures that are coming up over the next couple of days.
Henan Songshan Longmen v Qingdao
Sunday, 18th July
Yuexiushan Stadium, Guangzhou
Henan are still looking for their first win of the season, but they can take a lot of encouragement from their 1-1 draw with Guangzhou on Thursday night. In their first game back after the break Henan managed to play some very good football and there wasn’t much to choose between them and the eight-time CSL champions.
They will fancy their chances against a Qingdao team that managed to scrape together a couple of wins before the break, but generally looked very poor. If Henan can find a ruthless streak in the final third of the pitch then they should be able to secure their first win of the campaign.
One to watch – Wang Guoming – He came in as the starting goalkeeper against Guangzhou after Wu Yan was dropped and put in a good performance. He should now have a real chance to claim the starting role on a more long-term basis
Prediction – 2-0, Henan get their first win of the season.
Guangzhou v Chongqing Liangjiang Athletic
Sunday, 18th July
Tianhe Stadium, Guangzhou
Chongqing made a patchy start to the season before the break. And they will likely find it tough going early on in next phase of the season as they come into a tough run of games.
Their first match back sees them come up against a Guangzhou side that will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a disappointing draw in Thursday’s re-scheduled match with Henan. If Guangzhou once again fail to take all three points against another one of the leagues lesser teams, the pressure will once again begin to mount on manager Fabio Cannavaro.
One to watch – Wei Shihao – Returned to the starting line-up against Henan and will be desperate to make an impact ahead of China’s next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Prediction – A comfortable 2-0 win for Guangzhou.
Shandong Taishan v Guangzhou City
Sunday, 18th July
Huadu Stadium, Guangzhou
Shandong meet Guangzhou City in what looks to be the week’s stand out fixture. Undefeated Shandong marked themselves out as potential title challengers in the first five games before the break. And they will face a real test in their first game back against the ever entertaining Guangzhou City.
Shandong have looked as good defensively as anyone in the CSL so far this season. But with the attacking talent Guangzhou City have at their disposal they could still cause Taishan plenty of problems.
One to watch – Guilherme – Has been by far Guangzhou City’s best player this season and could really test Shandong defensively.
Prediction – A 2-1 win for Taishan.
Shenzhen v Cangzhou Mighty Lions
Sunday 18th July
Guangzhou University Town Sports Center Stadium, Guangzhou
The off-season’s two biggest spending teams meet for the first time this year in what should be a fascinating encounter.
Shenzhen have made a strong start to the season, but lost manager Jordi Cruyff in the break and have since appointed former Chengdu Better City coach Jose Carlos Granero as his replacement. Granero will face a stern test in his first game and it will be interesting to see if his Shenzhen team can power their way past a Cangzhou team that have promised much, but has so far failed to deliver.
One to watch – Alan Kardec – Shenzhen will need to make sure they are able to bring Kardec into the game if they want to win.
Prediction – A 1-1 draw with neither side doing quite enough to claim all three points.
Beijing Guoan v Tianjin Tiger
Monday, 19th July
Suzhou Sports Center Stadium, Suzhou
Beijing Guoan got off to a rocky to start this season. However three straight wins have taken the pressure off manager Slaven Bilic and they should really make it four in a row against Tianjin Tiger.
At the start of the year Tiger were widely slated to be the league’s whipping, but so far they’ve exceeded everyone’s expectations and managed to take four points from their opening five games.
Tiger however didn’t do much to strengthen their threadbare squad during the break and on Monday night Guoan should be simply too good for Tiger.
One to watch – Zhang Yuning – Played well in the recent World Qualifiers and will be looking to be amongst the goals again on Monday night.
Prediction – Guoan ease to a 3-0 win.
Wuhan v Shanghai Port
Monday, 19th July
Jiangyin Sports Center Stadium, Suzhou
Wuhan’s season has got off to a disastrous start and it’s unlikely that things will get any better this week as they come up against table topping Shanghai Port.
Wuhan’s biggest issue has been that manager Li Xiaopeng has seemed totally unsure of his best line-up and formation. And his constant chopping and changing has resulted in a team that has looked perpetually unsettled.
The hope for Wuhan will be that they will have been able to iron out this issue during last couple of months and that they’ll come back more settled than they were at the start of the season. And while it’s difficult to see even a much improved Wuhan getting a result against Port this Monday, a solid performance should at least give them some much needed confidence going into the coming weeks.
One to watch – Anderson Lopes –Wuhan’s new signing had been prolific goalscorer in the J1 League this year and could make his debut against Port.
Prediction – 2-0, Port simply too good for Wuhan.
Shanghai Shenhua v Dalian Pro
Monday, 19th July
Kunshan Sports Center Stadium, Suzhou
Shenhua made a solid start to season and despite their loss to Changchun Yatai just before the break, they had a lot of positives to take away from their opening five games. The same could not be said for Dalian Pro however who looked well off the pace in their five matches before the break.
Dalian should be much more competitive in the next phase of the season however, with forwards Salomon Rondon and Emmanuel Boateng both returning to the side. These two will give Pro’s attack some much needed bite and should make Monday night’s clash a thoroughly entertaining encounter.
One to watch – Emmanuel Boateng – The pacey striker is finally back and will be looking to make an immediate impact.
Prediction – 1-1 An improved Dalian Pro manage to take a point.
Hebei v Changchun Yatai
Monday, 19th July
Jiangyin Sports Center Stadium, Suzhou
Changchun have made a promising start to the season on their return to the CSL, taking nine points from their first five games and conceding just a single goal. Hebei have also made a decent start, but have picked up most of their points against the league’s weaker teams.
A key issue for Hebei so far has been their lack of quality attacking options. Given Hebei’s rumoured financial problems, this is unsurprisingly something that hasn’t been resolved during the break and is likely to badly exposed on Monday against Yatai’s steely backline. Bearing this in mind it’s going to be difficult to see Hebei coming out of this game with anything more than a draw.
One to watch – Serginho – Has probably been Yatai’s best player so far this season, and could provide the spark they need to win Monday’s encounter.
Prediction – A 1-0 win and another shutout for Yatai.
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