Heated race to avoid Play-off spot in V.League 2023/2024

After the end of round 22 of V.League, in theory, except for the top 3 teams that are safe, the remaining 10 teams are still at risk of receiving a risky Play-off ticket.

However, in reality, the race to escape the Play-off ticket will be the story of the teams: Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Song Lam Nghe An, Quang Nam and LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Perhaps Dong A Thanh Hoa will join the race if the Thanh team does not get a good result in the upcoming round.

The gap between the teams is very close when there are 3 teams with 26 points and Hong Linh Ha Tinh has only 1 point more. Therefore, the race to escape the Play-off ticket promises to be very attractive in the last 4 rounds of V.League.

Let's see the chances of avoiding the Play-off spot of 4 teams: LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Quang Nam, Song Lam Nghe An and Hong Linh Ha Tinh:

1. LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai (ranked 13th: 26 points):

LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai is currently the team at the biggest disadvantage, standing at 13th place on the rankings. Besides, they will also face quite tough opponents such as MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh, Becamex Binh Duong (competing for the top 3 leading teams), Hanoi Police and Hai Phong. Therefore, without outstanding efforts, coach Vu Tien Thanh's team will find it difficult to improve their position on the rankings.

2. Quang Nam Club (ranked 12th: 26 points):

Ranked 12th on the table, Quang Nam's chance of staying in the league seems brightest. They will almost certainly win all 3 points when meeting Khanh Hoa in the next round, before welcoming their direct competitor in this race, Song Lam Nghe An, at home. These will be good opportunities for coach Van Sy Son's team to accumulate points to move up and occupy a safe position on the table.

However, the key to Quang Nam Club's schedule will be the last two matches. It is likely that Ho Chi Minh City Club and Nam Dinh Blue Steel will soon complete their goals, thereby making these matches easier for the Quang Nam team.

3. Song Lam Nghe An (ranked 11th: 26 points):

Climbing to 11th place on the rankings thanks to great efforts in recent matches, the Nghe An team is having certain confidence in the race to escape the Play-off ticket. The problem ofLam River Nghe Anwill be to maintain that confidence and excitement after the V.League break.

If they can do that, coach Pham Anh Tuan's team can completely reap points from the matches against Dong A Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam Club and Hong Linh Ha Tinh to be able to complete the relegation goal.

The final match against The Cong Viettel will be the most difficult match for the Nghe An team. Hopefully, Song Lam Nghe An will have a safe distance before the away match at Hang Day Stadium.

4. Hong Linh Ha Tinh (ranked 10th: 27 points):

Although currently ranked 10th on the rankings, Hong Linh Ha Tinh will be one of the teams most at risk of receiving a Play-off ticket.

That comes from the difficult match schedule of coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's team. They will have to meet The Cong Viettel, who have been in very good form recently, meet Nam Dinh Steel Blue, who are eager to win to soon be crowned kings in the V.League, or the 6-point match with neighboring team Song Lam Nghe An.

In addition, Hong Linh Ha Tinh's squad is also very thin after 5 players were detained for investigation on suspicion of using banned substances. It can be said that the current situation of coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's team is the most worrying. If they do not cherish every point and every opportunity they have, Hong Linh Ha Tinh will be the team that has to accept the unlucky Play-off ticket.

5. Dong A Thanh Hoa (ranked 9th: 30 points)

Despite their recent decline in performance, the Thanh team is not in a worrying situation. Coach Popov Velizar's team is currently 4 points behind 13th place on the rankings.

Besides, Dong A Thanh Hoa will also have 1 match against the relegated team.Khanh Hoa Clubat home. Therefore, it would be a surprise if the Thanh team had to receive a Play-off ticket.

With such a small gap in the rankings, the relegation race this season is one of the most exciting in V.League history. And just one mistake will cost a lot.