With the 23rd round of the Chinese Super League in progress, the title race and relegation situation is becoming clearer and clearer. Although Shanghai Seaport has suffered consecutive defeats recently, they are still at the top of the table and the title is almost certain to be won this season.
In the relegation ladder, Shenzhen, who suffered five consecutive league defeats, has basically locked the relegation spot. The other relegator will be between Dalian People, Nantong Zhiyun and Qingdao Hainiu.
Looking at the current points, Qingdao Hainiu is relatively favorable on the road to relegation, while Dalian Ren is in the most critical situation. In the remaining seven rounds of the league, Dalian people will face Zhejiang team, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Shandong Taishan, Beijing Guoan, Wuhan Town, Qingdao Hainiu and Shanghai Port.
Obviously, except for Qingdao Hainiu, the other six teams all pose a challenge to the Dalianese. The three home matches against Shandong Taishan, Wuhan Sanzhen and Shanghai Harbor are all favorites for the title. It is difficult for Dalian people to score at home, and the only possible opponent to win is Qingdao Hainiu, the newest team in the Chinese Super League.
Nantong Zhiyun also faces a tough challenge in the final seven rounds against Wuhan Sanzhen, Chengdu Rongcheng, Qingdao Hainiu, Shanghai Port, Shanghai Shenhua, Meizhou Hakka and Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. Except for Qingdao Hainiu, the other six teams are not easy to play against.
Currently, Dalian Ren and Nantong Zhiyun have completed their home and away matches for the season. There is only one point difference between the two teams. If both teams can beat Qingdao Hainiu and the results of the other six games are the same, Nantong Zhiyun will be thrilled to be relegated.
If Nantong Zhiyun loses to Qingdao Hainiu and Dalian Ren wins on the road against Qingdao Hainiu, both teams will have a chance to complete relegation. In this case, Qingdao Hainiu has become the key to determine the relegation fate of Dalian Ren and Nantong Zhiyun.
However, Qingdao Hainiu are facing a relegation crisis of their own, only two points above the relegation zone. If they lose consecutively to Nantong Zhiyun and Dalian, they could become another relegated team after Shenzhen this season.
In comparison, Qingdao Hainiu's opponents in the last seven rounds of the league are weaker, especially in the last match, they played away against Cangzhou Lions, who completed relegation in advance, and their opponents no longer have any intention to fight. Coach Zhao Junzhe, as a local Chinese coach, has a wide range of connections and may be able to help Qingdao Hainiu.
After a comprehensive analysis, Dalian People have the highest possibility of being relegated. After all, they are one of the weakest teams in the Chinese Super League other than Shenzhen. Even if they succeed in relegation this season, it is still unknown whether they can stay in the Chinese Super League next season...
