Chengdu Qianbao play host to Beijing Guoan looking to extend their unbeaten record in the Chinese Super League to 14 matches.

At a time when the home side are looking to challenge for the title, Beijing are down in seventh spot in the table, nine points adrift of their next opponents.

Match preview

Having recently lost in the cup to second-tier Chongqing Tongliang Long on penalties, Chengdu cannot quite claim to be unbeatable since the beginning of this season.

Nevertheless, coming through 13 league matches without defeat is an impressive haul for Seo Jung-won, who will feel that there is far more to come from his team.

In response to the cup upset, Chengdu breezed past Shenzhen on away territory, posting a 3-0 victory and keeping a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

Chengdu still do not possess the best defensive record in the division - in fact, they are just fourth in that list - but confidence is building with just five points separating them from top spot.

That said, Seo's side have been far from perfect on home territory with three of their seven matches at the Chengdu Phoenix Hill Football Stadium ending in draws.

As for Beijing, their season can only be described as mixed at best, starting with a four-game winless streak and emerging victorious from just one of their most recent four matches.

However, Ricardo Soares - who was only appointed on June 15 - has something to work with given that Beijing still occupy seventh spot with just three defeats to their name.

The Portuguese's opening league game earlier this week ended in defeat, Beijing going down 2-1 at home to leaders Shanghai Port with an 81th-minute goal keeping things interesting during the latter stages.

Despite that setback, positives will have been taken, yet this is another of the greatest tests that this league currently has to offer and Soares will be eager for his players to quickly adapt to his style of play.