Five straight defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (15-3-4, 49 points) will look to put a stop to their two-game winless slide as they square off with lowly club Hangzhou Greentown FC (7-11-4, 25 points) in a 2016 Chinese Super League season match scheduled at the Tianhe Stadium on Saturday, August 20.

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Guangzhou Evergrande has been on an uncharacteristic downward spiral in the last two games as they failed to secure victories both time against underdog opponents.

The Southern China Tigers were upset by an undermanned Shanghai Greenland Shenhua side, 1-2, at the Hongkou Stadium last Saturday, as per Xinhuanet.

Shenhua's Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins netted a double at the fifth and 42nd minutes during the match to lead the hosts past the visiting league leaders.

Guangzhou striker Gao Lin was the only scorer for head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad, who decreased their lead over Jiangsu Suning in the overall standings to only eight points following their third loss this season.

Meanwhile, Hangzhou managed to win their second game in three outings as they stunned reeling contenders Henan Jianye, 3-0, at their home field of Yellow Dragon Sports Center also last Saturday, via Soccerway.

An own goal from Henan defender Lu Yao at the 31st minute gave the hosts the one-point lead at the halftime break. Two quick goals in the second half, courtesy of Brazilian imports Denilson Gabionetta and Anselmo Ramon completed the Green Giants' three-goal haul in the contest.

With their two Brazilian strikers and newly-acquired attacking midfielder Sammir from Jiangsu, Hangzhou is expected to provide some resistance against the defending champs. However, with Colombian striker Jackson Martinez slowly adjusting back to the league after being sideline by injury, Guangzhou is anticipated to prevail in this match.

The predicted result is a 2-1 bounce back win for Guangzhou Evergrande.

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

Hangzhou Greentown starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Zou; Chen P., Spiranovic, Chen X., Sun; Chen Z., Huang; Gabionetta, Sammir, Luo; Ramon

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, Hangzhou Greentown FC