Preview: Dalian Pro vs. Qingdao Jonoon - prediction, team news, lineups

Dalian are winless in 12 league matches, while the visitors have gone six top-flight games without recording a victory.

Match preview

Dalian are currently propping up the Chinese Super League table after mustering just eight points from their 13 games.

Since beating Nantong Zhiyun 2-1 on the opening day of the season, Dalian have endured a poor run of form, drawing five and losing seven of league matches.

Although are finding wins hard to come by, Xie Hui's side may be able to draw some inspiration from the fact that they have avoided defeat in each of their last three matches across all competitions.

After playing out a 2-2 draw with Beijing Guoan, they claimed a 2-0 victory over second-tier Yanbian Longding in the Chinese FA Cup to advance to the fourth round.

Dalian returned to league action with a goalless draw against Wuhan Three Towns in midweek, representing just their second clean sheet of the Chinese Super League season, and they will be hoping to produce another resolute display on Sunday, as they look to claim three crucial points.

Like their hosts, Qingdao are also in of the points, having picked up just two victories in their opening 13 league games of the season.

Antonio Gomez's side are currently sitting above Sunday's opponents on goals scored, with one point separating them from safety.

Despite struggling in the league, Qingdao booked their place in the fourth round of the Chinese FA Cup last weekend, prevailing on penalties against Dandong Tengyue following a 1-1 draw.

They turned their attention back to league action for Wednesday's away meeting with Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, where goals from Felicio Brown Forbes and Evans Kangwa could not stop Qingdao from falling to a 3-2 defeat.

The Hainiu have now lost their last five matches in the top flight, and they will have their work cut out to collect a positive result on Sunday, having drawn one and lost six of their seven away matches in the Chinese Super League this season.

Dalian Pro Chinese Super League form:

L

L

L

L

D

D

Dalian Pro form (all competitions):

Qingdao Jonoon Chinese Super League form:

D

L

L

L

L

L

Qingdao Jonoon form (all competitions):

Team News

Cesar Manzoki is a doubt for the hosts after being forced off in the first half against Wuhan Three Towns with an apparent injury issue.

If Dalian are unable to call upon Manzoki then Streli Mamba could be presented with the chance to lead the line against Qingdao.

After dropping down to the bench in midweek, Longchang Lin may be recalled to the starting lineup for Sunday's encounter.

As for the visitors, they are expected to line up with a back three consisting of Junshai Liu, Aleksandar Andrejevic and Dong Xu.

Evans Kangwa should retain his place in the starting XI after scoring his fourth goal of the Chinese Super League season on Wednesday.

Kangwa will be joined in the frontline by Brown Forbes, who marked his fifth Qingdao appearance in midweek with his first goal for the club.

Dalian Pro possible starting lineup:

Wu; Z.Wang, Huang, Lo.Lin, He; Bosanic, Lu; Shang, Tsonev, Li.Lin; Mamba

Qingdao Jonoon possible starting lineup:

Mou; Liu, Andrejevic, Xu; Wang, Chen, Long, Saric, Zhang; Browns Forbes, Kangwa

We say: Dalian Pro 2-1 Qingdao Jonoon

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