Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (1-1-0, 3 points) will look to redeem themselves from their loss in the previous round as they face undefeated team Shanghai SIPG FC (2-0-0, 6 points) in a high-profile 2017 Chinese Super League season match at the Tianhe Stadium on April 1, Saturday.

Like Us on Facebook

Guangzhou Evergrande, who has won the China top-flight title for the sixth straight time last season, opened their title defense campaign this term with a 2-1 victory over capital city squad Beijing Guoan on March 5 also at the Tianhe Stadium.

However, the Southern China Tigers dropped a 1-2 upset loss to Shandong Luneng in their second game on March 10 on the road at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium, as per Xinhuanet.

Local midfielder Huang Bowen scored the opening goal in the sixth minute of the match for head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's side to take a one-point lead at the break.

However, Guangzhou surrendered two goals in the second half, courtesy of Brazilians Gil and Diego Tardelli in the 55th and 76th minutes, to get their first loss of the season.

Meanwhile, SIPG started the term with two consecutive wins. The Red Eagles routed Changchun Yatai, 5-1, in their season-opener on March 4 before blanking Yanbian Funde, 2-0, at the Shanghai Stadium on March 10, the South China Morning Post reported.

Despite having arguably the best trio of imports this season, two local players provided the goals for head coach André Villas-Boas' squad during the match. Lu Wenjun netted the opening goal in the 42nd minute with the assist coming from Brazilian winger Hulk before Wu Lei doubled their lead in the 57th minute.

SIPG is currently in a triple tie on top of the league with Shandong Luneng and Guangzhou R&F.

The predicted result is a close 2-1 victory for Shanghai SIPG.

Guangzhou Evergrande starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Zeng; Wang, Zhang, Feng, Chen; Huang, Paulinho; Liao, Goulart, Alan; Gao

Shanghai SIPG starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Yan; Fu, He, Shi, Wang; Oscar, Zhang, Lu; Wu, Elkeson, Hulk 

TagsChinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2017, 2017 Chinese Super League, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, Shanghai SIPG FC