The Chinese Super League side, who were ousted by Shanghai SIPG in 2017 and Tianjin Quanjian (now Tianjin Tianhai) last year, find themselves paired with domestic rivals once more as Shandong Luneng visit Tianhe Stadium on Tuesday for the first leg of the Round of 16.

Guangzhou have won three from three at home in the competition, but have yet to win away, so will be desperate for another positive result ahead of what has the potential to be a nervy affair in Jinan next week.

The two-legged fixtures will kick off on Tuesday and Wednesday with the return legs the following week. The four winning sides will progress to the quarter-finals at the end of August.

We look at eight players – one from each of the Round of 16 sides in the East – who will be key for their respective teams' chances of victory.

The form team in the 2019 AFC Champions League visits the holders at Kashima Soccer Stadium in what is sure to be a fascinating clash of countrymen.

Sanfrecce arrive in Ibaraki Prefecture on the back of five consecutive AFC Champions League victories, their best run of results in the Continental competition.

This will be only their second appearance in the knockout stages, having lost to eventual winners Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2014 edition.

Guangzhou needed a Matchday Six victory over Korea Republic’s Daegu FC to confirm their place in the knockout rounds for the seventh time in eight years after advancing as Group F runners-up. They go into the match, however, having been eliminated by Chinese opposition in each of the past two campaigns.

Making their return to the tournament for the first time since 2016, Shandong progressed from Group E with minimal fuss, winning three and drawing two of their first five games to seal a spot in the last 16 with a game to spare.

With five former champions – including the previous four winners – and a pair of same-country clashes, there is plenty to whet the appetite, so the-AFC.com has picked out five things to look out for ahead of the action.

The holders grip on their Asian crown was close to slipping off completely in the Group Stage of the 2019 edition, but a come-from-behind win over China PR's Shandong Luneng on Matchday Six saw Kashima of Japan extend their stay on the Continental throne until at least the Round of 16.

However, defeating countrymen Sanfrecce and remaining among the final eight will require the Ibaraki club to lift their performances according to Nagaki.

Shanghai SIPG's maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League three years ago was ended in comprehensive fashion when they came up against eventual winners Jeonbuk in the last eight.

After a goalless draw at Shanghai Stadium, the K-League side turned on the style to defeat their Chinese Super League visitors 5-0 in Jeonju to sail into the semi-finals.