CSL Preview: Guangzhou seek to retain top spot

Guangzhou Evergrande will look to maintain their place at the top of the Chinese Super League (CSL) when they host bottom side Tianjin Teda.

Evergrande are top of the standings on goal difference, level on 16 points with Shandong Luneng, after five wins and a draw from their opening six matches of the season.

Tianjin, meanwhile, have won only once so far this season 2013, but have nothing to show for that following their six-point deduction for match fixing.

Evergrande will be hoping for more good form from Brazilian star Elkeson, who has scored an astonishing 12 goals from six CSL appearances this term.

Brazilians are dominating the goal-scoring charts in China this season, with Edu scoring six for Liaoning Whowin and Qingdao Jonoon’s Bruno Meneghel scoring five to help his side into third place.

Jonoon host 10th-placed Hangzhou on Saturday, while second-placed Shandong Luneng visit Shanghai Shenxin.

Undefeated Shanghai Shenhua, who are now in ninth place on seven points following their six-point deduction before the start of the season, journey to 15th-placed Wuhan Zall in Saturday’s other match.

On Sunday, fourth-placed Beijing Guoan welcome lowly Changchun Yatai to the Workers’ Stadium, while Guizhou Renhe play host to Dalian Aerbin.

Whowin visit Shanghai SIPG, while on Monday the round concludes with Guangzhou R&F’s trip to Nanjing to take on Jiangsu Sainty as both sides bid to put some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.