CSL Preview: Guangzhou Evergrande look to maintain undefeated streak

Guangzhou Evergrande will look to extend their lead at the top of the Chinese Super League when they travel to Qingdao Jonoon on Saturday.

Marcello Lippi’s side have accumulated 32 points from their 12 games so far, remaining unbeaten in the league having dropped just four points.

A 0-0 draw against second-placed Shandong Luneng in their last fixture means they have a three-point advantage over Shandong Luneng going into their game at the Qingdao Tiantai Stadium.

However, fourth-placed Qingdao are unbeaten in their previous three matches, although they could only a muster a 1-1 draw with lowly Wuhan Zall in their last fixture.

Victory over Guangzhou would keep the home side in the hunt for an AFC Champions League spot.

Guangzhou’s closest challengers Shandong host eighth-placed Jiangsu Sainty at the Luneng Big Stadium as they look to maintain their title challenge.

They have lost just once in the league all season, and will fancy their chances at their own ground.

At the foot of the table, the league’s bottom two sides square off as Changchun Yatai travel to the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium to face Tianjin Teda.

Tianjin have amassed just two points all season, and will be desperate to avoid defeat as they currently trail 14th-placed Wuhan by four points in the race for survival.

Goals from Zhang Xiaofei and Li Xiaoting secured Changchun a 2-2 draw with Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Guangzhou R&F last time out, and they could climb out of the drop zone with victory.

Wuhan are looking to distance themselves from the relegation spots, and travel to the Shanghai Stadium to face 12th-placed Shanghai SIPG.

Elsewhere, Guangzhou R&F welcome Shanghai Shenxin to the Yuexiushan Stadium, while Dalian Aerbin head to Hongkou stadium to face Shanghai Shenhua.

Liaoning Whowin host Guizhou Renhe at the Shenyang Tiexi Stadium and, at the Yellow Dragon Sports Centre, Hangzhou will face off against Beijing Guoan.