Multiple teams remain tightly bunched in the race for second place behind runaway leader Chengdu Rongcheng, as widespread pre-season points deductions for match-fixing violations—including 10 points from Shanghai Shenhua, five each from Shanghai Port, Beijing Guoan, and Zhejiang, and six from Shandong Taishan—have compressed the standings and neutralized historical advantages. Current table positions show Beijing Guoan, Qingdao West Coast, Dalian Yingbo, and Yunnan Yukun (whose Oscar Maritu leads the scoring charts) separated by just a handful of points after 24 rounds, while Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua sit just behind despite their pedigree. Frequent managerial turnover, mid-season roster adjustments with foreign signings, and inconsistent recent form across the group have sustained parity, leaving traders viewing the outcome as highly contested among a broad set of contenders.