Changchun Yatai play host to Henan Songshan Longmen on Monday looking to move closer to the top three in the Chinese Super League.
Meanwhile, the visitors make the trip to the Nianling Stadium searching for the win which should ensure that they catapult themselves into the upper half of the standings.
Match preview
Having only finished in 13th place during the 2022 campaign, further consolidation would have been the main aim for Changchun over the course of this year.
However, Chen Yang's side have put themselves in a position where they can target loftier heights, with Changchun currently sitting in sixth spot after picking up 20 points from 13 games.
Momentum has been lost with three defeats in four outings - most recently to Shandong Taishan by a 4-1 scoreline - yet they can continue to throw caution to the wind with a 12-point gap to the relegation zone.
Yang would prefer that his side tighten up in defence, though, with 24 goals having already been shipped this season, including 12 in their most recent 360 minutes of football.
While Changchun have netted in all but two of their league matches, they need to find a greater balance, something which may now be seen as a priority after they conceded twice in the opening 12 minutes of their setback versus Shandong.
From the perspective of Henan, prevailing in just three of their 13 top-flight fixtures will be regarded as a huge disappointment after last season's sixth-placed finish.
Nevertheless, there are signs that Sergio Zarco Diaz is in the process of improving their fortunes, with Henan having put together a four-match undefeated run.
In total, 11 points have been accumulated from their most recent six outings, the latest of their three wins during that time coming against Cangzhou Mighty Lions by a 1-0 scoreline on June 28.
That result represented Henan's first away league victory of the season and just their second clean sheet in 11 outings, subsequently leading to Changchun being wary of an increasingly-confident team ahead of Monday's showdown.
Team News
Defender Jores Okore will hope for a recall to the Changchun backline, particularly after netting their consolation goal versus Shangdong.
Qi Cui may drop out of the team, and it is plausible that Zhiyu Yan and Hong Li are also brought into the side in the full-back areas.
Fewer alterations are expected to be made to the Henan starting lineup on the back of their hard-fought win over Cangzhou.
Depending on whether Diaz sticks with a 4-4-2 formation, Tianyu Gao may be recalled on the right flank, while Dilmurat Mawlanniyaz is an option at left-back after proving his fitness over two substitute outings.
Nemanja Covic has been in sensational form of late, his strike versus Cangzhou making it seven goals in his last six league outings.
Changchun Yatai possible starting lineup:
Wu, Yan, Yi, Okore, Li; Wang, Zulj, Zhang, Liu; Serginho, Tan
Henan Songshan Longmen possible starting lineup:
Wang; Luo, Gu, Sunjic, Mawlanniyaz; Zhong, Li, Pina, Mierzejewski; Feng, Covic
We say: Changchun Yatai 2-1 Henan Songshan Longmen
The respective attacking and defensive records of these teams means that we should see an intriguing clash in styles, and Henan may relish soaking up any pressure coming from their free-scoring opponents. However, we feel that Changchun may just edge this contest, potentially in the closing stages when the visitors are settling for a point.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
