Chinese Super League teams are returning to two secure "bubbles" designed to keep out the coronavirus, with the second half of the disrupted season starting on Friday. 

The second half of the season will end on November 12, and will also take place in Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province and Dalian in Northeast Liaoning Province. 

The 16 teams will play two-legged knockout matches instead of the usual home-and-away formula in the revamped competition. 

Former champions Shanghai SIPG, home to Brazilian stars Oscar and Hulk, clash with rivals Shanghai Shenhua on Sunday in the most eye-catching fixture of the restart. 

Evergrande easily topped the Dalian group after the first phase and SIPG led in Suzhou, underlining the title credentials of both clubs. 

In Dalian, where teams will fight to avoid relegation in the second phase, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez faces a battle to keep his Dalian Pro side in the CSL after only two wins in 14 games this season. 

The CSL kicked off on July 25, five months later than scheduled because of the pandemic. A very limited number of spectators were admitted into stadiums with local infections under control. 

No reported infections among players, coaches or support staff during the first phase, as personnel were confined to a hotel and were allowed out only to train and play matches. 

(With input from AFP)