Beijing Guoan vs Shandon Taishan

Beijing Guoan and Shandong Taishan go head-to-head in a mouth-watering Chinese Super League fixture at the Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center Central Stadium.

Beijing Guoan head into proceedings having failed to win their last four Super League matches in a row (D1, L3), drawing a blank twice in the process. But despite their thoroughly underwhelming form, Slaven Bilic’s men have been a force to be reckoned with at home this season, as they’ve yet to taste a bite of defeat on home turf (W6, D3). Much of the credit for Beijing’s remarkable home form has to be pinned on a free-scoring attack that has netted 2+ goals in four of their last five Super League home games. Another goal-friendly affair could be on the cards, given that five of Beijing’s previous six top-flight home encounters against Shandong have seen over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet (W3, D2, L1).

In the meantime, Shandong Taishan go into this round in the midst of a purple patch, having won their last 16 competitive matches in a row. Since falling to a 2-1 away defeat to Guangzhou FC in late July, the visitors have won each of their subsequent ten Super League games, seven of which yielded a winning margin of 2+ goals. Away from home, ‘Taishan Dui’ have racked up a four-game winning league streak, returning an intimidating +14+ goal difference for their trouble (GF:15, GA:1). Indeed, Shandong’s scoring prowess has been off the charts in the Super League this season as they remain the only side to have hit double digits in both halves of away league action played so far. They are also one of just three sides to have smashed a 20-goal barrier on the road this term (23).