On a run of 10 consecutive defeats across all competitions, Hebei play host to Wuhan at the Puwan New District Stadium in round seven of the Chinese Super League on Thursday.
The Han Army, on the other hand, have suffered a slump in form in recent weeks, losing each of their last three outings, and will be looking to end this dry spell.
Match preview
League strugglers Hebei were left empty-handed once again when they suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Wuhan Three Towns last Sunday.
Former Vitoria de Guimaraes forward Davidson put on a clinic at the Jinzhou Stadium, scoring twice and creating another to hand the hosts an emphatic victory.
Kim Jong-boo's side have now lost each of their last 10 outings across all competitions — including each of their first six games of the new Super League campaign.
This horrid start to the season could be pinned to their lack of sting at the attacking end of the pitch, where they currently hold the league's joint-lowest record with just two goals, while shipping 17 so far.
Hebei, whose last victory came in August 2021, are currently bottom but one in the Super League standings, only above Guangzhou City, who have lost each of their seven games so far.
Elsewhere, Wuhan failed to arrest their slump in form last time out when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Shanghai Port at the Puwan Stadium.
Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Xin Xu and Senegalese forward Cherif Ndiaye scored either side of Bruno Viana's 66th-minute equaliser to hand the Red Eagles all three points.
Li Jinyu's side, who kicked off the new season with three consecutive victories, have now lost each of their last three games — their longest losing streak since August 2016.
This poor run has been owing to their recent defensive frailties as they have shipped seven goals in their last three games after conceding just one in the first three.
With nine points from a possible 18, Wuhan are currently 10th in the league standings, but could rise as high as fifth place with all three points on Thursday.
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Team News
Hebei have Zhang Wei available for selection after the 22-year-old defender missed the trip to Wuhan Three Towns after receiving his matching orders against Guangzhou FC on June 19.
He should feature up top alongside 25-year-old Tianyuan Xu, who has started each of the opening six games so far.
At the opposite end of the pitch, we expect a centre-back pairing of Ximing Pan and Junzhe Zhang once again, shielding Yaxiong Bao in goal.
Meanwhile, Braga loanee Bruno Viana is a doubt for Wuhan after the 27-year-old was hooked off injured late in the game against Shanghai Port last time out.
Should he fail to shake off the injury, veteran defender Chao Li will push for his first start of the season, teaming up with Peng Li at the heart of the back four.
Hebei possible starting lineup:
Bao; Cui, Pan, Zhang, Jing; Y Gao, D Yao, H Gao, Ding; Z Wei, T Xu
Wuhan possible starting lineup:
Wang; Liu, C Li, P Li, Chen; Liu, Nie, Kajevic, J Hu; Jinghang, Forbes
We say: Hebei 0-2 Wuhan
Hebei and Wuhan head into the game in need of a pick-me-up following their recent string of poor results. Two of the Han Army's three wins this season have come on the road and we are backing them to arrest their slump and return to winning ways against the floundering hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
