Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai Port will be bidding to extend their lead at the top of the table when they make the trip to a struggling Shenzhen on Sunday.
The visitors top the division with 37 points, six clear of second-placed Shanghai Shenhua, while Shenzhen are 15th, having picked up just 11 points from their opening 16 matches of the campaign.
Match preview
Shenzhen are currently on a run of seven straight losses in all competitions, including their last six in the Chinese Super League, which has left them down in 15th position in the table on 11 points.
Xiang Jun's side have not been victorious in the Chinese Super League since the end of May, while they have lost their last two against Beijing Guoan and Qingdao 5-0.
The team's form is worrying at this stage of the campaign, and it is difficult to see where their next points are coming from considering their struggles at both ends of the field.
Shenzhen, who finished 14th in the top flight last season, actually won the Chinese Super League in 2004, but their main focus for this term is to stay in the division.
The strugglers have found it difficult on their travels this season, picking up just one point from seven matches, scoring just four times and conceding 24, which is an indication of their problems.
© Reuters
Shanghai Port, though, are flying high at the top of the division, boasting a record of 11 wins, four draws and one defeat from 16 matches to collect 37 points.
The Red Eagles have only won the Chinese Super League on one previous occasion, in 2018, but they have been runners-up three times, including in 2021.
Javier Pereira's side will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 victory over Wuhan Three Towns, and they are in a comfortable position at the top of the division, sitting six points clear of second-placed Shanghai Shenhua.
Shanghai Port have been in impressive form on home soil this term, picking up 17 points from eight matches, and they are the overwhelming favourites to secure all three points on Sunday, but the league leaders were held to a draw by basement side Dalian Pro earlier this month.
Team News
Shenzhen boss Jun will make changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Qingdao, with Shen Zigui expected to be among those to come into the XI.
The hosts are also expected to be without the services of Jiang Zhipeng through injury, which could see Pei Shuai introduced in a defensive area.
Chen Xiangyu should retain his spot in an attacking position amid a number of changes, while Xu Yue should also keep hold of his midfield role for the strugglers.
Shanghai Port, meanwhile, will be without the services of Jiang Guangtai, who was handed a red card in the 3-1 victory over Wuhan Three Towns.
Pereira's side are otherwise in strong shape, though, so the bulk of the XI that took to the field last time out should retain their positions on Sunday.
Wu Lei has been in strong form this season, finding the back of the net on eight occasions, and he will continue in the final third of the field with support from experienced Brazilian attacker Oscar.
Shenzhen possible starting lineup:
Minzhe; Dalun, Mincheng, Ziyi, Yuan I, Shuai; Yuan II, Haolun, Yue; Zigui, Xiangyu
Shanghai Port possible starting lineup:
Junling; Shenchao, Ang, Linpeng, Wenjun; Muzepper, Huikang, Xin; Kallon, Oscar, Lei
We say: Shenzhen 0-3 Shanghai Port
Shenzhen's form is extremely worrying, and we are finding it very tough to predict anything other than a comfortable home success for the team at the top of the division, with Lei and Oscar likely to cause a number of problems in Sunday's contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
