Opinion | Fifa World Cup absence filled with Chinese Super League as Shanghai SIPG and Shandong Luneng meet in top of table clash
Old faces and new kick off the second half of a season that might finally see an end to Guangzhou Evegrande’s stranglehold on the title
The CSL returns to action tonight to kick off a full midweek programme of fixtures and plenty of talking points, even for the uninitiated.
As if scripted by the football gods themselves, the first game of the second half of the season is a top of the table clash.
League leaders Shanghai SIPG travel to second placed Shandong Luneng with only goal difference separating them.
The pair are on 23 points, just one ahead of Beijing Guoan, and SIPG will look to get back to the free-scoring ways that has seen them lead the league from the outset.
Shandong Luneng have signed a player to help them bring the title back to Jinan for the first time since 2010.