Lowly teams Chongqing Lifan FC (2-6-6, 12 points) and Shandong Luneng Taishan FC (2-7-4, 10 points) are set to face one another at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Center on Friday, June 24 as the 2016 Chinese Super League slowly hits its mid-season mark.

The two teams are in the bottommost quarter of the overall standings as both had been struggling to find wins in their respective campaigns this term.

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Chongqing Lifan is currently at the 13th spot of the 16-team China first division table with five losses in their last six matches. They managed to draw Yanbian Funde in round 9 and win over Hangzhou Greentown in round 13, but other than that, it was all struggles for manager Chang Woe-ryong's squad.

The team is coming off a hard-fought 1-2 loss to powerhouse club Jiangsu Suning FC on the road at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre last Sunday, as per CCTV English. It was actually an impressive performance for Chongqing considering the depth of talent their opponent currently has and that they are playing away from their home stadium.

Midfielder Wang Dong scored the lone goal of the visitors right at the stroke of halftime off an assist by Argentine import Emanuel Gigliotti.

Meanwhile, perennial powerhouse Shandong Luneng is still reeling in the domestic competitions as they are now on an 8-game winless slide. They hope to finally get a win in this match against Chongqing.

Taishan Dui was held to a goalless draw by Shanghai SIPG in their most recent CSL match held at their home field of Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium also last Sunday, via Ghana Soccernet.

It was Shandong's fourth drawn match of this term as they continue to play without injured Brazilian striker Diego Tardelli.

Despite absences from some key players, new head coach Felix Magath is anticipated to pull off a victory in his debut game for Taishan with Brazilian defender Gil now back in action after a disappointing stint in the ongoing Copa America Centenario.

The predicted result is a tough 1-0 victory for Shandong Luneng.

Chongqing Lifan starting lineup (5-4-1 formation): Deng; Ding, Sui, Luo, Liu, Xu; Wu, Jung, Wang, Peng; Gigliotti

Shandong Luneng starting lineup (3-5-1-1 formation): Wang; Gil, Li, Dai; Qi, Jin, Hao, Jucilei, Zheng; Montillo, Yang

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Chongqing Lifan FC, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC