Football lovers are in for a treat as the Chinese Super League presents another nail-biting clash between Meizhou Hakka and Beijing Guoan at the magnificent Wuhua Olympic Sports Center Huitang Stadium on July 12, 2023. This match will test both teams’ mettle as they continue their journey in this year’s Chinese Super League season.
This encounter will be particularly significant considering the contrasting forms of the two teams. Beijing Guoan, currently perched in the 6th spot with 24 points, is clearly in better form than their opponents, Meizhou Hakka, who sit 12th on the ladder with a disappointing 13 points. Interestingly, their last three encounters have all ended in draws, showcasing the balanced competition between these teams.
Last season, Meizhou Hakka and Beijing Guoan also fought out two stalemates – a 2-2 thriller at Meizhou’s home ground and a goalless deadlock in Beijing. It’s a fitting reminder of how closely matched these teams can be despite their disparate league positions.
However, a peek into the recent performances of both clubs paints a different picture. Meizhou Hakka is struggling to keep a consistent form with a loss, draw, and an impressive 3-1 win against Chengdu. On the other hand, Beijing Guoan seems to have found their stride with two consecutive victories, including a commanding 5-0 win against Shenzhen.
Statistics play a crucial role in the game and offer some insights into the impending match. Both teams have their preferred periods of scoring – Meizhou Hakka appears to be early risers, netting 24% of their goals in the first 15 minutes, while Beijing Guoan typically comes to life after the break, with 26% of their goals coming between the 46th and 60th minutes.
In terms of defense, Meizhou Hakka has had a hard time keeping a clean sheet, conceding a goal in each of their last 16 matches. Beijing Guoan, however, has managed to score in all of their last 12 matches, which could be worrying for the Hakka’s already shaky defense.
Both teams have their standout performers. Weihui Rao has been Meizhou Hakka’s chief creator with 3 assists, while Gao Tianyi has provided the same service for Beijing Guoan. These key players could very well be the difference in this fixture.
History also weighs heavy on this encounter. A year ago, Meizhou Hakka were flying high at number 5 with 23 points, but they have since slumped to 13th position with 10 points. Beijing Guoan, in contrast, has maintained a solid performance, perhaps learning from their previous season’s experiences.
Both teams have shown resilience, with Beijing Guoan showing a better knack for maintaining leads away from home, and Meizhou Hakka showing a remarkable ability to come back when down 0-1 at home. This hints at a match that could go either way once the first goal is scored.
Taking into account the performance metrics of the last five matches, Beijing Guoan seems to have the upper hand. But football is unpredictable, and Meizhou Hakka’s fighting spirit at home could well swing the pendulum in their favor.
In conclusion, while Beijing Guoan appears to have the edge, the history of draws between these teams and Meizhou Hakka’s home advantage introduces an element of uncertainty. All in all, this game is poised to be a thrilling encounter with both teams desperate for points. If recent history is anything to go by, a draw could be on the cards. But don’t be surprised if either team manages to finally break the stalemate and bag all three points.
Prediction: Meizhou Hakka 1 – 1 Beijing Guoan