Last season's China League One runners-up Hebei China Fortune FC (2-0-1, 7 points) will look to retain their undefeated record as they square off with middling team Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC (1-2-1, 4 points) in a 2016 Chinese Super League season match at the Qinhuangdao Olympic Sports Center Stadium on April 17th, Sunday.

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Hebei China Fortune finished last season's Chinese second division association football competitions at second place with only a point behind eventual champions Yanbian Funde FC, who have also qualified in the CSL this year.

Of the two squads, it is the Samba Kings who are performing well in the China top flight as the team remains unbeaten in three games so far. Hebei opened the new season with a 2-1 victory over Guangzhou R&F then pulled off an impressive 1-1 draw with current league leaders Jiangsu Suning during their second game.

Their most recent match was a 1-0 victory over cellar dwellers Changchun Yatai FC on the road at the Development Area Stadium last Sunday, via Sofa Score.

Local midfielder Luo Senwen provided the lone goal for manager Li Tie's men one minute before the hour mark of the match, which proved to be enough for Hebei to pick up the win and another three points in the overall standings.

Hebei featured the terrifying international duo of Argentine Ezequiel Lavezzi and Ivorian Gervinho as their attacking front and is expected to be utilized once against versus Shijiazhuang on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Shijiazhuang Ever Bright had settled for a 1-1 tie with fellow middling team Chongqing Lifan at their home ground of Yutong International Sports Center last Saturday, as per Soccerway.

Both goals of the match were scored in the first half as Ever Bright striker Diego Maurício opened the scoring at the 36th before it was equalized by Chongqing forward Emanuel Gigliotti seven minutes later to share a point each in the overall standings.

The predicted result is a 2-0 victory for Hebei China Fortune.

Hebei CFFC starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Yang; Liao, Jin, Gulum, Ding; Gao, M'Bia, Li; Jiang; Gervinho, Lavezzi

Shijiazhuang Ever Bright starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Guan; Lu, Jiang, Li, Cho, Mi; Wang, Cui, Mao; Mauricio, Mulenga

TagsChina Football, China football 2016, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, 2016 Chinese Super League, Hebei China Fortune FC, Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC