Struggling perennial contender Shandong Luneng FC (2-8-4, 10 points) and defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (11-1-3, 36 points) are scheduled to square off at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center Stadium on July 3, Sunday as the second half of the 2016 Chinese Super League season begins.

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Shandong Luneng is currently at the cellar of the 16-team China top flight table as they are on a nine-game winless spell. The team has failed to notch a single in the so far three-game stint of new coach Felix Magath with the club and it seems like their play and morale are at an all-time low at this moment.

Taishan Dui was defeated by lowly squad Chongqing Lifan, 1-2, at the Chongqing Olympic Sports Center in the previous round, China.org reported.

Chongqing was able to draw first blood in the contest when Brazilian import Fernandinho netted one in the ninth minute of the match from an assist by teammate Wu Qing.

The score remained at 1-0 until Shandong striker Yang Xu was able to find the equalizer with 12 minutes left in regulation.

It looked like Magath's boys are going to salvage a draw in the match, but Chongqing midfielder Wang Dong snatched the win and three points away with a goal in injury time.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou Evergrande began a winning run once again as they defeated powerhouse team Jiangsu Suning FC, 2-0, at the Tianhe Stadium also in the previous round for their second straight win, as per Soccerway.

The Southern China Tigers made the star-studded Jiangsu giants look like a mediocre squad as Brazilians Ricardo Goulart and Alan Carvalho scored one goal apiece at the 24th and 28th minutes and then shutting down the visitors for the rest of the match.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's is the overwhelming favorites over the reeling Luneng in this game.

The predicted result is a 2-0 victory for Guangzhou Evergrande.

Shandong Luneng starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Wang; Qi, Gil, Dai, Zhao; Jucilei, Li, Hao; Jin, Montillo, Yang

Guangzhou Evergrande starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Zeng; Zhang, Mei, Feng, Kim; Zheng, Paulinho; Huang, Goulart, Alan; Gao 

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Shandong Luneng Taishan FC, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC