Fourth-running squad Shanghai SIPG FC (9-5-8, 35 points) is set to face bottom two team Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC (4-10-8, 20 points) at the Shanghai Stadium on Friday, August 19 as the 2016 Chinese Super League season moves forward.

Shanghai SIPG is currently undermanned as imports Hulk, Dario Conca, Asamoah Gyan, and Elkeson are all uncertain to suit up in this match against Ever Bright with various injuries.

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At the moment, Ivorian striker Jean Evrard Kouassi and South Korean defender Kim Ju-young are the only ones available for head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson as the team also prepares for their AFC Champions League quarterfinal match against K League Classic side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors next week.

The Red Eagles hope that all of their foreign players will be healthy and rested by then and so Kouassi and Kim are the only two imports expected in this CSL fixture.

SIPG is coming off a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted side Yanbian Funde at the Yanji Nationwide Fitness Centre Stadium last Saturday, as per Soccerway.

Kouassi netted the opening goal for the visitors at the 10th minute, but the hosts fired back with the equalizer seven minutes later. With both sides going scoreless for the rest of the match, they shared a point in the overall standing following the tie.

Meanwhile, Shijiazhuang also held their round 22 opponents Tianjin Teda to a 2-2 draw at their home field of Yutong International Sports Center also last Saturday, Xinhuanet reported.

Tianjin's Hu Rentian scored the opener at the 23rd, but two straight goals from Ever Bright courtesy of imports Ruben Micael and Matheus at the 36th and 61st minutes gave the hosts back the lead.

However, local defender Cao Yang knotted the count with five minutes left before full time to force the deadlock and also a share of a point in the standings.

The predicted result is a 1-0 victory for Shanghai SIPG.

Shanghai SIPG starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Yan; Fu, Kim, Shi, Sun; Cai, Wang; Wu, Yu, Lu; Kouassi

Shijiazhuang Ever Bright starting lineup (4-4-1-1 formation): Guan; Cho, Xu, Li C., Mi; Matheus, Feng, Li T., Mao; Micael; Mendy

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Shanghai SIPG FC, Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC