Recap
Sichuan are in a deep crisis. After setting an unwanted record last season with 40 consecutive defeats, they surprisingly opened the current campaign with two straight victories. However, that brief improvement proved short-lived, as they have since suffered five consecutive losses.
The club’s financial situation remains extremely concerning. Players were reportedly owed 14 months of salary, while social security contributions had gone unpaid for 28 months. Although part of the outstanding salaries was paid ahead of the game against Shanxi Zhongyu, this does little to address the club’s underlying financial problems. Sichuan reportedly owe banks approximately €88 million, while their 5% stake in the CBA company has long been frozen.
There is also a significant sporting consequence attached to these financial obligations: if salary arrears exceed three months, a team faces disqualification from the playoffs. Therefore, the recent payments appear primarily aimed at securing playoff eligibility rather than resolving the club’s broader financial difficulties.
On the court, Sichuan’s domestic players have struggled considerably, leaving the team heavily dependent on its three foreign imports to carry the burden and provide most of the offensive production.
Fujian arrive on the back of two consecutive home victories. They are a solid team featuring three American imports, but their biggest advantage is the considerably stronger contribution they receive from their domestic players.
The h2h record also strongly favors Fujian, who have won the last seven meetings between these sides.