Persik were swept aside 3-0 by Japanese league and cup double winners Urawa Red Diamonds while Shenhua slumped to a 2-1 home defeat to Sydney FC in their Group E openers two weeks ago.

With only the top team in the group progressing to the quarter-finals, a win at Solo's Manahan Stadium is imperative if either side hopes to extend their interest in this year's competition.

Shenhua enter the game as favourites, but coach Osvaldo Gimenez Toledo knows that his team must raise their game if they hope to pick up three points and keep alive their hopes of reaching the last eight for the second season in a row.

"In the face of our unsuccessful opening game, we need a victory in this match because it will be the only way to keep us in contention," the Uruguayan said.

"However, Persik are not a weak team, they are well organised and they will play at a higher level at home."

The main concern for Shenhua is fatigue following the team's long journey from China to Indonesia.

Having drawn 0-0 on Saturday with Henan Jianye in the Chinese league, the Shanghai side had to set out the following day for their trip, which included stopovers in Hong Kong and Jakarta.

China international forward Xie Hui, scorer of Shenhua's consolation goal in their defeat to Sydney, is set to start in place of Uruguayan import Diego Alonso, who has not yet recovered from a hamstring injury.

"I have high hopes for Xie Hui," said Gimenez. "I believe he could win the aerial battle and earn us the three points."

Shenhua captain Li Weifeng will serve the second of his two-match suspension following his red card in last season's AFC Champions League quarter-final defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in Korea.

Persik will also have to travel to the match after their home venue in Kediri, the Brawijaya Stadium, was not deemed suitable for AFC Champions League fixtures.

The teams will meet instead in the Central Javan city of Solo, 137 kilometres north-west of Kediri.

Persik have shown indifferent form in the Indonesian league this season and suffered their first home loss in the league since 2003 last Saturday when they went down 1-0 at home to Persita Tangerang.

The Indonesian league season began just a month ago but the fixtures are already beginning to take their toll on Persik, who will be playing their 11th game in 39 days when they face Shenhua.

"It has been an exhausting month for us with such extensive travelling in order to fulfil our commitments in both the ACL and the league," said Persik coach Daniel Roekito.

"I admit our form has been largely affected by fatigue."

The accusation could certainly be levelled at Uruguayan striker Christian Gonzalez, who was benched in the loss to Persita after oversleeping and missing a training session.

However, Roekito says that the matter has been settled and he is ready to welcome back Gonzalez for the game on Wednesday.

"I had no choice but to bench him in our last match as I would do the same to any players who miss practice. However he might start against Shanghai as we have already discussed the matter."

Persik have yet to manage a point against an East Asian team in the AFC Champions League and Roekito is content to see his side go out to frustrate Shenhua.

"Like other East Asian teams, I can only assume that they are very well organised and will give us little chance to develop our tactical scheme.

"It is up to us to deny them a win," he added.