Perennial contending squad Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC (1-0-2, 5 points) will try to keep their undefeated record early in the 2016 Chinese Super League season as it goes up against fellow top contender Shandong Luneng Taishan FC (1-2-0, 3 points), who had been struggling so far, at the Hongkou Football Stadium on April 10th, Sunday.

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Shanghai opened its current campaign with two straight draws, a 1-1 tie with last season's China League One winners Yanbian Funde during their opener and afterwards another 1-1 stalemate in the season's first Shanghai derby during their second game of the season.

In their most recent match, the Blue Devils romped Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC, 3-1, also at their home field of Hongkou Football Stadium last Sunday, via Soccerway.

Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba unleashed a hat trick at the fifth, 43rd, and 58th minutes respectively to bury the Yutong residents and lead head coach Gregorio Manzano's boys to their first win this year.

Shijiazhuang managed to score a consolation goal at the 50th courtesy of local forward Mao Jianqing.

Meanwhile, Shandong Luneng had been mercurial in their first three games, losing their season-opener to Jiangsu Suning, 0-3, then winning their next game against Liaoning Whowin, 3-2.

Shandong was again blanked in their most recent game, 0-2, by Hangzhou Greentown on the road at the Yellow Dragon Sports Center on April 1st, as reported by Cri English.

Taishan head coach Mano Menezes reportedly "threatened to leave" his squad during the game as the 53-year-old Brazilian bench tactician demanded consistency from his boys. Shandong is down at the 12th spot of the league table at this moment.

Hangzhou's Luo Jing and Davy Claude Angan provided the goals for their side.

The predicted result is a tough 2-1 win for Shanghai Shenhua.

Shanghai Shenhua starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Li S.; Li Y., Kim, Bi, Bo; Guarin, Qin; Lu, Moreno, Cao; Ba

Shandong Luneng starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Wang; Zhao, Li, Dai, Zheng; Zhang C., Jucilei; Zhang W., Montillo, Tardelli; Aloisio 

TagsChina Football, China football 2016, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, 2016 Chinese Super League, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC