- Recent form: Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic have won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 upset win over Meizhou Hakka in the FA Cup 2026 Third Round.
- League form: Tianjin Jinmen Tigers have struggled for consistency in the Chinese Super League, currently sitting 16th after 15 games (W3, D6, L6) and conceding 21 goals.
- Playing styles: Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic play a narrow, well-disciplined defensive system which is difficult to break down. Tianjin Jinmen Tigers have utilised a flexible system recently, capable of switching between back-three and back-four, high-pressing and counter-attacking.
Lanzhou and Tiger clash in cup clash
Lanzhou Longyuan Athletic will host Tianjin Jinmen Tigers in the Fourth Round of the Chinese FA Cup 2026 in a historic match, as these two sides meet in their first ever senior competitive matchup on Friday.
Lanzhou are enjoying a solid season in the cup, despite their mixed league form and have brought an interesting style of play this season under new manager Huang Shibo. They look to get men behind the ball, hold a tight line, and be very disciplined as a unit defensively, which allows them to maximize their threat on counter-attack and from set pieces.
Lanzhou have found their footing in the cup competition recently, winning four of their last five in all tournaments, including their 2-1 upset win over Meizhou Hakka. Their attacking play is headed by the pace and creativity of Zhu Haiwei, while Zhang Junzhe and Wei Lai are the two reliable options at the back.
Inconsistent Tigers need to improve
League form and results
Tianjin have been inconsistent in the CSL this season, currently sitting 16th after 15 rounds (W3, D6, L6) and conceding 21 goals. They've shown some promise in spells, including a 4-2 away win against Beijing Guoan last time out, but they have been guilty of lapses in concentration defensively on too many occasions.
Tactics and key men
Club legend Yu Genwei has introduced a flexible tactical approach to the team, but the Tigers can often be their own worst enemies. The visitors will hope to cause problems with high pressing, transitions, and direct play, but their attacking players are yet to really click.
- Tianjin's top scorer Alberto Quiles is their biggest threat, while the creativity of Xadas and Jaume Grau Ciscar, combined with the pace of Guilherme Schettine up top, is what will give the visitors their best chance of progressing.
Expect an enticing cup battle
This will be an intriguing matchup between two teams who should have no fear of the cup, with the possibility of an upset and the atmosphere in Lanzhou's Olympic Center Stadium combining to create an electric environment for the matchup.
