The reigning Chinese Super League holders face a make-or-break clash with Yokohama F Marinos in the AFC Champions League next week, with all four teams in Group G currently tied on seven points.
But Evergrande - 2-0 losers at Melbourne Victory on Tuesday - will have to put thoughts of progression to the back of their minds this weekend as they bid to preserve their position at the summit domestically.
Marcello Lippi's men have been in fine form so far this term, losing just one of their opening six league fixtures, and welcome a Shenhua side who picked up just their second win of the season against Dalian Aerbin last time out.
The division's basement club have not registered a single victory since winning promotion last year, and their next opportunity to get off the mark comes in the shape of a trip to Hangzhou.
In the weekend's remaining fixtures, Henan Jianye are at home to Guizhou Renhe on Friday, and Shanghai Shenxin host Jiangsu Sainty on Sunday.
