Preview of the Chinese Super League: Qingdao West Coast Aims to Halt Losing Streak, Zhejiang Seeks Revenge as Form Improves

On July 12 at 7 PM, Matchday 19 of the 2024 Chinese Super League sees Qingdao West Coast host Zhejiang FC at their home ground. The two teams approach this fixture in starkly contrasting situations. Although Qingdao West Coast enjoys home advantage, their recent form has been abysmal, having just suffered a five-match losing streak in the league. Conversely, Zhejiang FC recently halted their losing run, securing a resounding victory.

In the first 18 rounds of the league, Qingdao West Coast claimed only 3 wins, 4 draws, and 11 losses, accumulating a mere 13 points, ranking them bottom of the table. Their defensive performance has been particularly poor, conceding an average of 2.1 goals per game, making them the second-worst team in terms of average goals conceded, behind only Cangzhou Mighty Lions (who concede an average of 2.2 goals per match). Moreover, Qingdao West Coast’s recent form has been woeful, losing consecutively from Matchday 14 to Matchday 18 against Chengdu Rongcheng (0-7), Wuhan Three Towns (0-1), Henan Team (0-1), Shanghai Greenland Shenhua (0-1), and Qingdao Hainiu (1-3), scoring only one goal during this period.

So far this season, Qingdao West Coast’s home record has been far from impressive, with 1 win, 3 draws, and 5 losses from 9 matches. In their last seven home games, they have managed just 2 draws and 5 losses. During the summer transfer window, Qingdao West Coast brought in new signings such as Jinyangyang and Paines, but these acquisitions have yet to make an immediate impact. In particular, Paines, who was highly anticipated, made his debut in the last match but delivered an underwhelming performance. Clearly, Qingdao West Coast is in a dire situation, and unless there are fundamental improvements in both attack and defense, they could be in for another tough outing in this fixture.

Regarding their head-to-head history, the two sides have faced each other only once before. In the fourth round of this season’s Chinese Super League, Qingdao West Coast pulled off a surprising 2-1 away victory over Zhejiang FC.

Zhejiang FC had won 9, drawn 1, and lost 8 of their first 18 league matches, earning 28 points and ranking sixth in the standings. In Round 16, Zhejiang FC suffered a dramatic 2-3 defeat to Shenzhen Xinpengcheng; in Round 17, they lost 1-3 to Shanghai Port. However, in Round 18, they thrashed Meizhou Hakka 4-0, ending their losing streak. In that match, Zhejiang FC’s leading forward, Leonardo, showcased explosive form, scoring twice and providing an assist.

Zhejiang FC is not a team renowned for their away performances, having won only 2 and lost 6 of their 8 away fixtures, making them the second-worst away team in the league, only behind Cangzhou Mighty Lions. However, Zhejiang FC is a side known for their late-game heroics, having scored 9 goals in the final quarter-hour of the first half and 8 goals in the final quarter-hour of the second half, which are the most prolific periods for goalscoring, significantly more than any other time in their matches.

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