Ho Chi Minh City Police vs Hai Phong: A tough test at Thong Nhat Stadium.

At exactly 7:15 PM on November 1st at Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City Police faced a tough test against Hai Phong in the 9th round of the LPBank V.League 1 2025/26. Both teams had 14 points, but history heavily favored the visitors, with Ho Chi Minh City Police drawing only once and losing four of their last five encounters. This was a match where the home team needed to overcome their psychological barriers and solve the tactical puzzle of the game.

Contrasting form and pressure to deliver results

Before round 9, Ho Chi Minh City Police had just lost 0-1 away to Hanoi Police despite having a man advantage but failing to capitalize. After 8 rounds, coach Le Huynh Duc's team has 14 points with a record of 4 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, and is currently in 5th place. Conversely, Hai Phong is unbeaten in 4 consecutive matches, also with 14 points and close to the leading group, creating psychological pressure on the home team.

Opposing rivals: a psychological turning point.

Hai Phong is one of the most difficult opponents for Ho Chi Minh City Police. In the last 5 encounters, Ho Chi Minh City Police only drew 1 and lost 4; last season they lost in both matches. These statistics highlight the psychological aspect: the visiting team enters the match with a historical advantage, while the home team needs an early goal to break the familiar deadlock whenever they face their opponent from Hai Phong.

Tactics and hotspots

Ho Chi Minh City Police: Shifting tactics and focusing on Tien Linh.

Ho Chi Minh City FC will likely maintain a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing counter-attacks when needed. Tien Linh will play a central role in the attack, serving as the target for quick counter-attacks and aerial balls. With the expected lineup, Makrillos and Williams will provide additional options for movement forward, creating space for the second line to surge forward and take shots.

Hai Phong: ball control and midfield coordination.

The visiting team is prepared to play with a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing ball control and quick central attacking combinations to exploit opponent mistakes. The two in-form foreign players, Tagueu and Luiz Antonio, are a major source of attacking flair; the mobility of Minh Dĩ and Friday allows Hai Phong to be flexible in their approach to the goal.

Midfield and right wing: the two anchors of the game.

• Midfield: Viet Hoang – Quoc Cuong (Ho Chi Minh City Police) vs. Huu Nam – Viet Hung (Hai Phong). Whoever controls the tempo and space in the middle of the field will have the advantage.
• Right wing of Ho Chi Minh City Police: the pair Quang Hung – Hoang Phuc will face the activity of Nhat Minh. This could be the point of explosive one-on-one situations and crosses.

Human Resources

• Ho Chi Minh City Police: Endrick is absent due to injury; the rest of the starting lineup is basically complete.
• Hai Phong: Huu Son is out with a long-term injury; the visiting team has retained its core squad and enters the match with high ambitions.

Predicted lineup

Ho Chi Minh City Police

Hai Phong

Match information

• Tournament: V.League 2025/26
• Matchday: Round 9 LPBank V.League 1 2025/26
• Location: Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City
• Time: 7:15 PM, November 1, 2025

Analysis and score prediction

Ho Chi Minh City Police have the home advantage but enter the match under pressure due to their current form and past head-to-head record. Hai Phong are in high spirits and have a stable ball control system, making them capable of leaving Thong Nhat Stadium with at least one point.

Prediction: Ho Chi Minh City Police 1-1 Hai Phong