Dalian Professional will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they take on Zhejiang Professional in the Chinese Super League on Thursday.
The hosts are currently occupying a top half spot, while Zhejiang sit 15th after picking up just one point this season.
Dalian Professional will be satisfied with their start to the campaign after picking up five points from their opening three matches.
They kicked off their campaign with a 2-2 away draw against Henan Songshan Longmen before taking on Guangzhou City in their first home game of the season.
Sun Guowen found the opener for the hosts in the sixth minute before Yan Xiangchuang scored what proved to be the final goal in the 22nd minute, securing Dalian Professional their first win of the season.
The Blue Hawks got off to another fine start in Sunday’s contest against Changchun Yatai, taking the llead in the ninth minute through Shang Yin.
However, an equaliser from Erik in the 59th minute denied Dalian Professional the chance to claim consecutive victories, although the draw kept their unbeaten start intact.
Meanwhile, Zhejiang are back in the top flight after securing promotion through the playoffs last season.
The positive mood generated through their promotion campaign may have slightly faded away after collecting just one point from their three Chinese Super League matches.
After losing 1-0 to Shandong Taishan on the opening day of the campaign, Zhejiang responded in their first home game of the season by drawing 0-0 with Changchun Yatai to collect a point.
However, they failed to build upon that point as they lost 3-1 away to Henan Sanshong Longmen at the weekend.
Zhejiang may not be too keen to head back on their travels for Thursday’s contest, although they will be motivated to claim their first away win of the season.
Dalian Professional vs Zhejaing Professional head to head
The two teams have previously met on eight occasions across all competitions, where Dalian have claimed three victories while Zhejiang have won once, and they have drawn in four. Dalian have scored 11 goals and conceded nine. In their last five meetings, they have claimed one victory each and drawn in three.
Dalian Pro 1-0 Zhejiang Professional 03/11/13
Zhejiang Professional 1-1 Dalian Pro 08/03/14
Dalian Pro 1-1 Zhejiang Professional 26/07/14
Zhejiang Professional 1-1 Dalian Pro 28/05/17
Dalian Pro 0-1 Zhejiang Professional 17/09/17
Dalian Professional latest home form
Dalian Professional have recently kept a patchy run of form at home, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They managed to defeated Guangzhou City 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded five.
Dalian Pro 1-2 Cangzhou Mighty Lions 18/12/21
Dalian Pro 0-1 Chongqing Liangjiang 28/12/21
Dalian Pro 4-1 Qingdao FC 03/01/22
Dalian Pro 0-1 Rongcheng 12/01/22
Dalian Pro 2-0 Guangzhou City 08/06/22
Dalian Professional latest away form
Dalian Professional have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their five most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Changchun Yatai in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded seven.
Henan SSLM 1-0 Dalian Pro 25/12/21
Cangzhou Mighty Lions 2-0 Dalian Pro 31/12/21
Rongcheng 1-1 Dalian Pro 08/01/22
Henan SSLM 2-2 Dalian Pro 04/06/22
Changchun Yatai 1-1 Dalian Pro 12/06/22
Zhejiang Professional latest home form
Zhejiang Professional have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their four most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Changchun Yatai in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded five.
Zhejiang Professional 1-3 Rongcheng 30/11/21
Zhejiang Professional 6-1 Guizhou 13/12/21
Zhejiang Professional 2-1 Wuhan Three Towns 22/12/21
Zhejiang Professional 0-0 Qingdao FC 12/0122
Zhejiang Professional 0-0 Changchun Yatai 07/06/22
Zhejiang Professional latest away form
Zhejiang Professional have recently been on a downturn in form on the road, having lost each of their two most recent matches. They were defeated 3-1 by Henan SSLM in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded six.
Kunshan 1-2 Zhejiang Professional 09/12/21
Rongcheng 1-2 Zhejiang Professional 18/12/21
Qingdao FC 0-1 Zhejiang Professional 08/01/22
Shandong TaiShan 1-0 Zhejiang Professional 03/06/22
Henan SSLM 3-1 Zhejiang Professional 11/06/22
Dalian Professional news
Despite Sunday’s draw, Dalian Pro are expected to keep changes to a minimum for this contest, with Lin Liangming likely to replace Zhu Ting in the forward line.
He will be joined in the front three by Yan and Shang, with the latter aiming to find the net in successive matches.
Zhejiang Professional news
Zhejiang will have to do without the services of Zhang Jiaqi, who is suspended for Thursday’s game after being sent off against Henan Songshan Longmen.
Zhang’s suspension could allow Yao Junsheng to be given his first start of the season after appearing as a substitute in the last two matches.
Prediction and Odds
Dalian Pro will be looking to keep their unbeaten run going, while Zhejiang will still be searching for their first win of the season.
So, we think the hosts will utilise their home advantage once again to edge out Zhejiang, but we also think they may end up sharing the spoils.
Odds: 1 2.15 X 2.05 2 2.30
Probable outcomes
Dalian Pro 1-0 Zhejiang Professional
Dalian Pro 2-1 Zhejiang Professional
Dalian Pro 0-0 Zhejiang Professional
Dalian Pro 1-1 Zhejiang Professional
Dalian Pro 2-2 Zhejiang Professional
