The 2017 Chinese Super League is really starting to take shape and Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG are setting the pace at the top of the table. Many people predicted the title would be contested between these two teams but there are another two teams just below them in the table who are looking to get involved. One of those teams is Tianjin Quanjian.
Tianjin Quanjian are currently third in the Chinese Super League, 5 points behind second place Shanghai SIPG and 8 points behind Guangzhou Evergrande. Therefore, they must defeat Beijing Guoan in this match to keep pace at the top.
Beijing Guoan arrive at the Haihe Educational Football Stadium in seventh place in the Chinese Super League table, 4 points behind Tianjin Quanjian.
Tianjin Quanjian Form
Tianjin Quanjian have lost only 1 of their last 10 competitive games and the defeat came at the hands of Shanghai SIPG in the FA Cup.
In the Chinese Super League Tianjin Quanjian are unbeaten in their last 7 games and have lost only 1 of their last 11 in the league, which is a great record. Tianjin Quanjian are one of the form teams in the Chinese Super League right now.
They have won their last 4 home games in a row and have lost just 1 match at home all season out of 9 games played. This is their first season in the top-flight of Chinese football and Fabio Cannavaro has done a great job.
Tianjin Quanjian have scored 12 goals in their last 4 home league games at average of 3 goals per game.
Beijing Guoan Form
This should be a very interesting match because although Tianjin Quanjian are one of the form teams in the Chinese Super League, Beijing Guoan are the form team in the league.
Beijing Guoan are undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Chinese Super League, winning 4 and drawing 1 of those 5 games. There have been 2 excellent away wins, the pick of which was the 2-1 victory over Shanghai Shenhua three weeks ago.
Beijing Guoan have picked up 13 points from the last 15 available and will be looking to make it 16 from 18 after this match. Away from home in the Chinese Super League Beijing Guoan have won their last 2 games and lost 3 of their last 7.
Team News
The arrival of French striker Anthony Modeste means there is increased competition for places up-front at Tianjin Quanjian. It remains to be seen how Cannavaro can find room for Pato, Modeste and Sun Ke in this starting XI. Beijing Guoan will start like their previous away match which means a 4-2-3-1 formation with Jonathan Soriano as the striker receiving support from Ba Dun, Song Boxuan and Jin Taiyan.
Top Betting Tips
With a very impressive recent home record in the Chinese Super League Tianjin Quanjian must start this match as favourites for the win and can be backed at Evens with William Hill. Each of Tianjin Quanjian’s last 6 home matches in the league have seen over 2.5 goals scored and we could be in for more of the same in this game. Over 2.5 goals is available at 4/5 with Ladbrokes.
Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato has scored 7 goals in his last 10 games for Tianjin Quanjian and makes a great bet to open the scoring in this match. Pato is 3/1 with William Hill to score the first goal of the game.