CSL Preview: Shandong aim to leapfrog R&F
Third place in the Chinese Super League beckons for Shandong Luneng on Thursday if they can win away to Guangzhou R&F.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Pjo5QrCeKtWHGqTsAjjUzN.jpg)
Having ended a three-game losing streak on Sunday thanks to a 3-3 draw with Shanghai East Asia, fourth-placed Shandong can leapfrog R&F and move into third position by triumphing at Yuexiushan Stadium for the third time in four visits.
R&F have beaten Shandong just once since November 2003 and lost 2-1 to Guizhou Renhe on Saturday.
Shandong coach Cuca will remind his players they have won five of their past six meetings with R&F, including both fixtures last season.
Cuca can also call on one of the leading scorers in the Chinese Super League in Vagner Love.
The former CSKA Moscow and Flamengo striker has found the net eight times this season, putting him fifth in the goalscoring standings, three behind leader Elkeson of Guangzhou Evergrande.
However, R&F also have plenty of firepower - they are the second-highest scorers in the league behind local rivals Evergrande, while both Davi and Abderrazak Hamdallah have contributed nine goals.
Evergrande lead the Chinese Super League with 30 points after a 4-1 weekend victory over Hangzhou.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The reigning champions will look to stretch their advantage further when they host Guizhou on Wednesday.
Beijing Guoan are second in the table, three points behind Evergrande and five ahead of R&F.
Guoan face Hangzhou and will be eager to take advantage of any slip-up from Evergrande.
Changchun Yatai will attempt to avoid a fourth straight defeat when they host Liaoning Whowin, while Tianjin Teda will visit Dalian Aerbin and Henan Jianye face Shanghai Shenxin.
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack