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| It’s looking like a two-horse race for the title but with 12 rounds of football to go, anything is possible. |
We preview round 19 of this weekend’s upcoming Chinese Super League. Guangzhou Evergrande still hold the top spot after a draw with second-placed Shanghai SIPG, retaining their one-point lead at the summit. It’s looking like a two-horse race for the title but with 12 rounds of football to go, anything is possible.
Friday 28 July
37/20 Henan Jianye | Draw 47/20 | Beijing Guoan 13/10 (13:35)
Guoan’s great run of form continued as they beat Shenhua 2-1 away from home. Their opponents this weekend, Henan Jianye, will play host to the stronger sixth-placed Guoan side. Jianye haven’t had the worst form in their last five matches, but they’ve been riddled with draws. The key man will be Jonathan Soriano who scored a brace last weekend. Bet on Beijing Guoan to continue their form and win.
Saturday 29 July
28/10 Yanbian | 47/20 | Tianjin Quanjian 19/20 (10:00)
Yanbian were embarrassed away from home when they were handed a 6-2 hiding by R & F. Bottom-of-the-log Yanbian have lost 12 from their 18 matches this season, and they seem to be on a downward spiral. Yanbian will play hosts to third-placed Tianjin Quanjian, who come off a draw but had won their previous four in a row. An easy victory for Tianjin Quanjian is expected this weekend, against a struggling Yanbian.
31/20 Chongqing Lifan | 9/4 | Jiangsu Suning 33/20 (13:35)
Lifan’s Fernandinho got on the scoresheet as his team won 2-1 against Teda last weekend. Jiangsu easily put four goals past their last weekend’s opponents, Liaoning. Lifan have won just seven of their 18 matches this season, however, four of those victories have come in the last four rounds and they will be determined to keep up that spectacular winning form. The hosts will take on Jiangsu this weekend, a team doing its utmost to get clear from the relegation radar as they sit third from the bottom in the standings. Back the home side for the victory.
29/10 Guangzhou R&F | 47/20 | Guangzhou Evergrande 9/10 (13:35)
R&F’s Zahavi scored a hat-trick in the 6-2 thumping of Yanbian last time out, while log leaders, Evergrande, played to a draw with their counterparts SIPG. Although the Blue Lions had an easy victory, they can’t be taken lightly. Evergrande have managed 13 wins from 18 matches with only 3 losses. Nonetheless, they have been inconsistent in recent weeks and R & F will be looking to capitalize on home advantage.The draw should be backed here.
12/10 Shanghai Shenhua | 49/20 | Hebei Zhongji 39/20 (13:35)
Shanghai Shenua suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Guaon last time out and will need to improve their current form of seven losses from 17 matches this season. Hebei lost 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller to a determined Zhicheng this past weekend. Hebei currently sit fifth on the log, although having lost four of their last five matches. Back the draw for this encounter as both teams seem to be struggling to find form.
Sunday 30 July
21/20 Liaoning | 47/20 | Changchun Yatai 12/10 (13:35)
Liaoning was shifted into the relegation zone following their 4-0 thumping at Jiangsu Suning. The Northeast Tigers have now lost 11 of their 18 matches, including five on the spin – the second poorest record in the league. Their opponents, Changchun Yatai, haven’t been much better overall, but they have won three of their last four matches. The away team have struggled on the road this term but given their current form, are tipped to edge the win.
31/20 Shandong Luneng | 49/20 | Shanghai SIPG 15/10 (13:35)
In this week’s match of the weekend, Luneng play host to SIPG, who failed to take top spot after claiming a share of the spoils against table-toppers Evergrande. SIPG have suffered just two defeats this season and will strive for a win while hoping leaders Evergrande go down this weekend. Luneng are off the back of a five-goal thriller against Yatai and are now placed fourth on the standings, including a game in hand. A tight encounter is expected with the teams tipped to cancel each other out.
TREBLE @ 9/1
Beijing Guoan Win 13/10
Changchun Yatai Win 12/10
Tianjin Quanjian Win 19/20
Written by Lungelo Mdladla
