Shanghai Port will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the Chinese Super League with a positive result away to Shandong Taishan on Monday.

The hosts, meanwhile, head into the meeting in fifth place in the table, 12 points behind their forthcoming opponents at the summit.

Match preview

Having missed out on retaining the title on goal difference last season, with Wuhan Three Towns holding their nerve on the final day, Shandong appear unlikely to compete for top honours once again in the current campaign.

However, that outlook could change should they be able to defeat the league leaders at Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium on Monday, as it would move them nine points behind their opponents and open up the division as a result.

After picking up only eight points from their opening eight games of the season, Choi Kang-hee has made an excellent impact since replacing Hao Wei as manager in mid-May, winning four and drawing two of his six league matches in charge to drag Taishan Dui up the table.

Shandong have clearly rediscovered their attacking verve by scoring 10 goals across their last two wins, with Changchun Yatai swatted aside by four goals to one earlier this week in an impressive display.

Shanghai Port, meanwhile, are in pole position to win only their second ever Chinese Super League title after their maiden triumph in 2018.

The Red Eagles have established themselves as one of the strongest sides in China since gaining promotion from the second tier in 2012, finishing within the top four positions in every season since 2015.

However, top spot has eluded them on all bar one of those occasions, despite having had the services of former Chelsea midfielder Oscar at their disposal since the 48-capped Brazil international famously made the switch to the Far East in 2017.

Shanghai Port appear to have found a superior winning mentality under the guidance of former Alaves and Levante boss Javier Pereira, who was appointed as the club's manager earlier this year in March, with them winning seven of their last eight league games ahead of their trip to Jinan on Monday.

Team News

Shandong will remain without Tianyu Guo and South Korea international Jun-ho Son, who are both unavailable for selection while being investigated by Chinese authorities for alleged bribery charges.

Former Manchester United man Marouane Fellaini has not been involved in either of his side's most recent victories, so it is unlikely that the 35-year-old will be restored to the hosts' starting XI for such a significant clash.

Shanghai Port, meanwhile, may look to select the same team which dispatched Beijing Guoan 2-1 on Thursday.

That would mean Oscar starting in midfield once again, but no place for his compatriot Paulinho, who was left on the bench during the victory in the capital.

Shandong Taishan possible starting lineup:
Wang; Tong, Shi, Zheng, Liu; Huang, Liao; Liu, Magalhaes, Chen; Crysan

Shanghai Port possible starting lineup:
Yan; Wang, Browning, A. Li, S. Li; Muzepper, Cai, Oscar; Kallon, Lei, Lu

We say: Shandong Taishan 2-2 Shanghai Port

China's best team across the previous two seasons take on the current league leaders, who will sense an excellent opportunity to take one giant step towards lifting their second Chinese Super League title here.

However, the hosts are on an excellent run of form themselves and know that defeat would almost certainly see them removed from the title picture, so we can envisage an entertaining share of the spoils on Monday.

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