Cangzhou Mighty Lions vs Beijing Guoan

Yutong International Sports Center is the venue as high-flying Chinese Super League heavyweights Beijing Guoan seek revenge against out-of-form Cangzhou Mighty Lions.

Cangzhou Mighty Lions got their new Chinese Super League campaign off to a flying start with a 2-1 win away to Beijing Guoan of all teams. However, since a somewhat unexpected Matchday 1 success, they have gone winless in four consecutive league matches (D2, L2), including back-to-back defeats ‘to nil’ in the build-up to this fixture. Indeed, a lack of scoring prowess has seen Cangzhou fail to get on the scoresheet in their last three top-flight outings. But if they do, it may not take long, as two of their three league goals scored this season have come before half-time. Despite finding the net in all three previous home league meetings with Beijing, each of them has ended level.

As for Beijing Guoan, an overwhelming 4-1 home triumph over Shenzhen last time out took them within a four-point distance of table-topping Henan Songshan Longmen. Unlike Cangzhou, the ‘Imperial Guards’ have hit the ground running since a false start to the season, racking up three wins from their subsequent four league matches (D1). Xie Feng’s men are scoring for fun these days, as witnessed by an impressive average of 2.5 goals netted across their last four league outings. Delivering action from the get-go, the visitors have tallied a league second-high six first-half goals this term, highlighting the potential for a fast start.