The second round of the China Super League (CSL) is underway, with Beijing and Shandong facing off in what could be a crucial match-up for both teams' hopes of securing a place in the playoffs.
For Beijing, this game represents their last chance to secure a spot in the playoffs before the final round begins. The team has struggled throughout the season, losing four out of six games so far, leaving them in seventh place and needing a win to have any hope of making it through to the playoffs.
On the other hand, Shandong will also be looking to secure a playoff spot after a disappointing start to the season. The team has won just one of their first seven games, leaving them in tenth place and needing a win or two to have any chance of making it through to the playoffs.
The key matchup between these two teams will likely come down to defense. Both teams have struggled defensively this season, conceding goals at a high rate. However, Shandong has been particularly poor in front of goal, scoring only three goals in their first seven games.
In contrast, Beijing has struggled to score as well, but they have managed to keep clean sheets in all but one of their losses. This means that the winner of this game will likely be the team who can defend most effectively against their opponents' attacks.
Overall, this game is likely to be a closely contested affair, with both teams likely to put up a strong fight. Ultimately, it will come down to which team can perform better on the day and who manages to hold onto possession longer than their opponent. With such a crucial match-up, we're sure to see some exciting action from both teams!