The Chinese Super League (CSL) title race is currently on the brink of collapse as Shenhua slip further behind their rivals. The current top four teams - Beijing Guoan, Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Sainty and Shenzhen Suning - have all recorded wins over Shenhua this season, leaving them five points adrift of the top spot.
Beijing Guoan's victory over Shenhua at the Shenhua Stadium last week was particularly disappointing for the hosts, who had been expected to secure the league title with ease after winning their opening nine games of the season. However, they struggled to find any consistency in their performances since then, losing three consecutive matches before finally managing to get back to winning ways against Guangzhou Evergrande.
Similarly, Guangzhou Evergrande's victory over Shenhua also proved to be a blow to Shenhua's hopes of securing the title. The Guangzhou side has consistently been one of the strongest teams in the CSL, and their recent form saw them win six of their first eight games of the season. However, their struggles continued when they lost to Shenhua in their most recent match, which left them just two points ahead of Shenhua in second place.
Jiangsu Sainty and Shenzhen Suning have also been in good form this season, but they have not managed to catch up with the top four teams yet. Jiangsu Sainty's defeat to Shenhua at home earlier this month was a setback for the team, while Shenzhen Suning's draw against Guangzhou Evergrande at the Guangzhou Sports Center Stadium last weekend also put them under pressure.
Despite the challenges faced by the top teams, there are still some positive signs that suggest that the CSL title race could be decided within the next few weeks. Guangzhou Evergrande's performance against Shenhua suggests that they may have found their rhythm again, while Jiangsu Sainty's recent results show that they are capable of competing with the top teams. However, it remains to be seen whether these positive developments will be enough to turn the tide and give Shenhua a chance of catching up with the top four teams.