Aiming to pick up a first win in 11 matches, Dalian Pro will do battle against Beijing Guoan on Friday in round 12 of the 2023 Chinese Super League season.
On the other hand, the away side make the trip to Dalian Sports Center Stadium currently on a run of one defeat from their most recent eight outings.
Match preview
Beijing Guoan made it three straight wins on home turf courtesy of a thrilling 4-3 triumph over Changchun Yatai at the Workers' Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Two goals from Souza and a Liyu Yang strike were cancelled out by Leonardo's double and a Tan Long effort to leave the game finely poised heading into its final knockings, where Kang Sang-Woo grabbed the winner to hand Stanley Menzo's men all three points.
As a result, the Imperial Guards have moved up to sixth place in the Chinese Super League table and are now just two points off a place in the top four.
Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have won just one of the last 11 meetings between the teams, losing nine of the other 10.
However, that solitary win did come in the most recent encounter back in December, when Friday's visitors fell to a comprehensive 3-1 defeat.
Dalian Pro were beaten for a fifth game running in a 2-0 loss against Shandong Taishan at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium on Saturday.
Marouane Fellaini broke the deadlock nine minutes shy of half time after which Zhengyu Huang added a second in first-half stoppage time to put Xie Hui's men to the sword.
Having managed just six points from their 11 games this term, the Blue Hawks remain bottom of the standings, albeit only three points adrift of safety.
Currently without a home win since April, Friday's hosts will need to get going in front of their fans if they are to move out of the relegation zone.
Team News
Liangming Lin was at the double for Dalian Pro in the most recent encounter between Friday's opponents, making him one to keep an eye on.
Xiangchuang Yan was handed a recall to the hosts' starting XI last time out, but he could be dropped to the bench here off the back of another goalless outing.
Beijing's Kang Sang-Woo has netted in three straight matches, and the forward will be looking to continue his newly-found hot streak in front of goal.
Thirty-two-year-old Xizhe Zhang remains an injury doubt for the visitors having failed to feature in the last two matches due to a muscle problem.
Dalian Pro possible starting lineup:
Wu; Wang, Lin, Huang, He; Bosancic, Lu; Lin, Tsonev, Manzoki; Mamba
Beijing Guoan possible starting lineup:
Han; Li, Bai, Ngadeu, Feng; Ademi, Souza, Gao, Kang; Wang, Yang
We say: Dalian Pro 1-3 Beijing Guoan
Given Dalian's struggles at both ends of the pitch, Beijing will fancy themselves to get the job done and come away with all three points. We are tipping the visitors to carry the day without breaking too much sweat in should be a largely one-sided affair.
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Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
