Which club will have to play in the play-off match?
With only 5 rounds remaining in the 2024/2025 V.League season, the teams battling to avoid relegation are neck and neck. So, who will be the ones to leave Vietnam's top football league?
SHB Da Nang
Of course, SHB Da Nang is currently the most disadvantaged team. After 21 rounds, the team from the Han River is at the bottom of the table with only 14 points, 5 points away from the relegation play-off position, while having played one more match.
Coach Le Duc Tuan's team has made significant progress recently. They earned 5 points despite facing strong teams like Becamex Binh Duong, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, and others.East Asia Thanh HoaHowever, in their recent match, SHB Da Nang suffered a heavy 6-0 defeat. This will be a significant morale shock for coach Le Duc Tuan's players.
A favorable fixture list for the Han River team in this relegation battle is their relatively easy schedule. They only have to face teams at the bottom of the table in 4 out of their remaining 5 matches. This includes 3 home games against Quy Nhon Binh Dinh, Quang Nam Club, and Song Lam Nghe An. These will be crucial matches for SHB Da Nang, determining their fate in this season.
Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh
Two wins in their last three matches have helped Quy Nhon Binh Dinh narrow the gap with Song Lam Nghe An to just one point. Furthermore, the team from Binh Dinh has played one less game, so they have a real chance of overtaking them.
However, the challenge for coach Bui Doan Quang Huy's team lies in their demanding schedule. They have to face strong teams like The Cong Viettel, Dong A Thanh Hoa, Hanoi Police, and Hanoi Club. Most importantly, they will have a crucial relegation battle against SHB Da Nang at Hoa Xuan Stadium.
Therefore, if they don't get good results in these matches, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh could very well be in danger.
Lam River, Nghe An
It's easier than Quy Nhon Binh Dinh, but the schedule...Lam River, Nghe AnThey also face many difficulties. The team from Nghe An will have to host three opponents in the top four of the V.League standings: Hanoi FC, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh. Although they will play at home for two out of three matches, Song Lam Nghe An will have to try very hard to earn points against these title contenders.
If they secure points in these matches, the Nghe An team will be very confident heading into the crucial relegation playoffs against Hoang Anh Gia Lai and SHB Da Nang. These will be key matches to determine the success of coach Phan Nhu Thuat's team in avoiding relegation.
Quang Nam Club
Quang Nam Club has a schedule quite similar to Song Lam Nghe An. The only difference is that they have one more point than the team from Nghe An and have one game in hand.
However, with having to face 3 out of the top 6 teams in the standings and having 2 away matches in crucial relegation battles, coach Van Sy Son's team will have to try their best to secure a safe position. Especially considering that in their last 4 matches, Quang Nam Club only managed 2 draws and suffered 2 defeats.
With the points difference in the standings and the unpredictable schedule, this year's relegation battle will continue to be incredibly exciting and fierce. It's highly likely that it will go down to the very last matchday.V.LeagueOnly then can we determine which teams will be relegated and which will have to participate in the relegation play-off.