Preview: Shandong Taishan vs. Henan Songshan Longmen - prediction, team news, lineups

Match preview

Shandong Taishan were sent crashing back down to earth on Saturday as they fell to a somewhat disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Zhejiang.

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Following a drab first half at the Wuyuan River Stadium, the game sparked into live in the 46th minute when Franko Andrijasevic opened the scoring before Nyasha Mushekwi put the result beyond reach with a 66th-minute strike.

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Prior to that, the Taishan Dui were on a three-game winning run, seeing off Guangzhou City, Changchun Yatai and Dalian Pro while scoring eight goals and keeping three clean sheets in that time.

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Shandong Taishan have now lost two and won four of their opening six games to collect 12 points and sit fourth in the league table, two points and one place off Tuesday's visitors.

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Elsewhere, Henan Songshan Longmen maintained their solid start to the season as they claimed a 2-0 victory at Dalian Pro when the sides squared off last Friday.

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In a game where Xingyu Ma received his marching orders, Fernando Karanga and Henrique Dourado scored in either half to hand the Red Devils all three points.

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Javier Pereira's men are now one of just three sides yet to suffer defeat this season — alongside Wuhan Three Towns and Shanghai Shenhua — after picking up four wins and two draws so far.

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This has been down to their impressive display at both ends of the pitch as Henan boast the league's second-best attacking record with 14 goals scored while conceding four goals and keeping three clean sheets.

Shandong Taishan Chinese Super League form:

Henan Songshan Longmen Chinese Super League form:

Team News

Shandong Taishan will take to the pitch without Wu Xinghan, who is yet to feature this year after suffering a severe injury back in December.

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Former Portimonense defender Jadson came off 36 minutes into the game against Zhejiang last time out and the 30-year-old is a doubt for the Taishan Dui.

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Should he fail to shake off the injury, 27-year-old Yang Liu could push for his fourth start of the season, teaming up with Ke Shi and Tong Wang in the back three.

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Henan Songshan Longmen will be without Xingyu Ma, who is suspended after receiving an early bath in the game against Dalian Pro last Friday.

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With his strike in the aforementioned game, Karanga has now been involved in six goals in six games so far and we expect the Brazilian forward to spearhead the attack once again.

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He should be joined in the final third by fellow countryman Dourado, who has also been a standout performer with three goals and providing one assist in five starts.

Shandong Taishan possible starting lineup:

Dalei; Lui, Shi, Wang; Song, Jun-ho, Moises, Jingdao, Fellaini; Pu, Crysan

Henan Songshan Longmen possible starting lineup:

Shi; Niu, Yang, Sunjic; Zhong, Ma, Wang, Mawlanyaz; Huang; Dourado, Karanga

We say: Shandong Taishan 1-1 Henan Songshan Longmen

Both sides have kicked off the new campaign in fine fashion and we expect a thrilling contest as they battle to strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the table. While Henan boasts one of the most lethal attacks in the league, we are backing Shandong Taishan to maintain their solid home form and force a share of the spoils.

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