Tianjin Jinmen Tiger vs Cangzhou Mighty Lions

Tianjin Jinmen Tiger and Cangzhou Mighty Lions are set to trade tackles in a high-stake Chinese Super League encounter at the Kunshan Stadium.

Tianjin Jinmen Tiger go into proceedings in high spirits after putting together three consecutive Super League matches without defeat (W2, D1) while keeping a clean sheet on each occasion. Tianjin’s renaissance has come at the best possible moment for the hosts, who are now two points clear of the drop zone. But with only relegated Qingdao and seventh-placed Dalian Pro conceding fewer goals than the ‘Tigers’ (35) this season, a defensive improvement is required. The same goes for the home side’s attacking game, as they’ve netted under 1.5 goals in their last three Super League home fixtures (D2, L1), failing to get on the scoresheet before half-time on each occasion. In turn, they’ve scored one goal or less in their previous three top-flight meetings with Cangzhou (D1, L2).

In the meantime, Cangzhou Mighty Lions enter this round in the midst of a purple patch, having won four of their last six Super League games (D2), including a clear-cut 2-0 home triumph over Dalian Pro last time out. What’s more, following a run of five successive top-flight away defeats by an aggregate score of 15-7, the visitors have gone unbeaten in their last two league travels in a row (W1, D1) despite conceding on both occasions. Except for a scoreless draw with Guangzhou City in May, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their remaining nine Super League away matches this season. Cangzhou’s defensive woes could be a factor here, especially considering they’ve conceded at least once in all four previous competitive visits to Tianjin.