Last season's third placers Shandong Luneng Taishan FC (0-1-0, 0 points) will look to bounce back from their opening game debacle as they face last season's 12th placers Liaoning Whowin FC (1-0-0, 3 points) at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Shandong, China on Friday, March 11th.

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Shandong opened the new season on a dismal note by dropping a lopsided 0-3 game against a much-improved Jiangsu Suning eleven at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center last Saturday, as reported by Xinhuanet.

Asian transfer record holder Alex Teixeira of Brazil led Jiangsu in the blowout victory over head coach Mano Menezes' side, scoring a brace at the 66th and 85th minutes, after fellow Brazilian Ramires opened the scoring right at the third-minute mark of the match.

Taishan Dui was not able to respond to the attacks of the hosts as imports striker Diego Tardello of Brazil and midfielder Walter Montillo of Argentina were held by the stingy defense of Jiangsu.

Meanwhile, Liaoning had a good opening match of the 2016 season, beating last season's seventh placers Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC, 1-0, on the road at the Yutong International Sports Center last Sunday, as per Goal.

Congolese center back Assani Lukimya scored the lone goal of the match at the 73rd minute to give the initial three points to manager Ma Lin's side in the current league table.

The Northeast Tigers have also improved a lot this season following their acquisition of Lukimya, Senegalese striker Ibrahima Touré, and Australians James Troisi and Michael Thwaite during the winter transfer window.

Lukimya, who was snagged from Bundesliga club Werder Bremen for €2 million on Jan. 26th, proved to be worth the investment so far as he immediately scored in his debut game with the Liao-Tigerkins.

The predicted result is a tough 2-1 victory for Shandong Luneng.

Shandong Luneng starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Wang D.; Zheng, Dai, Gil, Zhao; Jucilei, Hao; Tardelli, Montillo, Wang Y.; Yang

Liaoning Whowin starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Shi; Wang, Lukimya, Yang, Zheng; Hu, Sun; Chamanga, Troisi, Ni; Touré

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, Liaoning Whowin FC, 2016 Chinese Super League