Chengdu Rongcheng vs Tianjin Jinmen Tiger

Wuhua Hengpi Football Town is the venue as relegation-threatened Chengdu Rongcheng take on mid-table Tianjin Jinmen Tiger in an intriguing match-up.

Chengdu Rongcheng’s linear form has seen them draw their last five Chinese Super League matches following back-to-back defeats, as they take the field only three points clear of the relegation zone. Indeed, in addition to basement boys Guangzhou City, Chengdu are the only side in China’s top division yet to pick up a single league triumph this season (D6, L2). Much of their problems have emanated from an uninspiring attack that has netted a measly average of 0.66 goals per league match to date. But since four of their five home top-flight fixtures this season have seen both teams on the scoresheet, back-and-forth action could be on the cards.

In the meantime, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat to Beijing Guoan last time out, ending a stretch of three consecutive Chinese Super League victories. Yet, Tianjin’s indifferent eight-game start to the new top-flight campaign (W3, D2, L3) sums up their mid-table lethargy in a nutshell. On the bright side, after going winless in their opening two away league outings (D1, L1), they’ve won the last two in a row by an aggregate score of 5-2, getting off the mark within 25 minutes on each occasion. However, a low-scoring theme could highlight this encounter, as three of Tianjin’s four away league games this season have featured under 2.5 goals.