Struggling perennial powerhouse squad Shandong Luneng Taishan FC (2-5-2, 8 points) is scheduled to host contending team Henan Jianye FC (4-3-2, 14 points) at their home field of Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium on May 21, Saturday for a 2016 Chinese Super League season game.

Shandong Luneng is currently at the 14th spot of the league table, third from the bottom of the standings, after going on a four-game winless skid. Included in their winless slide is a three-game losing streak that was only snapped by their last game.

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Taishan Dui was forced into a 0-0 tie by bottom-dwelling team Changchun Yatai on the road at the Development Area Stadium last Saturday, via Soccerway.

Head coach Mano Menezes did not utilize his top goalscorer, Brazilian forward Diego Tardelli, during the match for undisclosed reasons, but his other imports, striker Aloisio, winger Jucilei, midfielder Walter Montillo, and defender Gil were all present in the starting unit.

While the draw put a stop to Shandong's three-game losing streak, it was their seventh winless performance in the current term.

Meanwhile, Henan Jianye also settled to a goalless affair with middling team Tianjin Teda FC at their home ground of Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium also last Saturday, as per Sofa Score.

It was the second consecutive winless match for manager Jia Xiuquan's side after going on a two-game winning run in rounds 6 and 7.

The Red Devils are at the fifth spot of the current league table, three points below third-placed squad Shanghai SIPG and the last Champions League berth for next season. They are also ten points away from league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande and six points above the bottom two relegation area.

The predicted result is a close 1-0 victory for Henan Jianye.

Shandong Luneng starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Wang; Zhao, Gil, Dai, Zheng; Jucilei, Li; Liu, Montillo, Aloisio; Yang

Henan Jianye starting lineup (5-3-2 formation): Wu; Wang, Gu, McGowan, Li, Ablet; Yin, Ivo, Feng; Patiño, Sow 

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, Henan Jianye FC