SLNA vs. Saigon: Top teams beckon

Welcoming Coach Phan Van Tai Em's team in this round, SLNA will play their fourth consecutive match at the "Vinh Stadium". This is unprecedented in the history of the V.League, and even in national championships worldwide (it's rare for a team to play three consecutive matches at the same stadium).

According to the V.League 2018 schedule, after the match against Hai Phong (round 13), Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team must travel to Thu Dau Mot to play against B.Binh Duong (round 14), then return to Vinh Stadium to host XSKT Can Tho (round 15) and Saigon FC (round 16).

However, due to a request from the home team, B.Binh Duong, for the organizers to change the venue (for security reasons), Vinh Stadium was chosen to host the B.Binh Duong - SLNA match. Therefore, the team from Nghe An province played at the "Vinh Stadium" for four consecutive matches.

In the previous round, SLNA defeated XSKT Can Tho with a score of 1-0.Photo: Duc Anh

Not missing the opportunity, Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates took advantage of their home ground to defeat Hai Phong (1-0), B. Binh Duong (2-1), and XSKT Can Tho (1-0). From second-to-last place in the standings (after the 12th round), SLNA climbed to 10th place. The most difficult period has temporarily passed for coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team.

With 17 points, SLNA is 4 points ahead of the "relegation zone" and just one win's worth of points behind the top 7 (HAGL has 20 points and is ranked 7th). If they can achieve positive results in the upcoming rounds, the Nghe An team will be in the middle of the table. The match against Saigon FC is an opportunity for Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team to achieve that.

The team from Ho Chi Minh City is the perfect opponent for Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates at this moment. Besides the advantage of playing at home, SLNA also has a more impressive form than Saigon FC.

While the Nghe An team won three consecutive matches against Hai Phong, B. Binh Duong, and XSKT Can Tho, coach Phan Van Tai Em's team had a record of two losses (against Nam Dinh and HAGL) and one win (against Hanoi FC) in their last three matches.

In the first leg between the two teams, Saigon FC (in pink jerseys) emerged victorious.Photo: Saigon FC

It's worth noting that SLNA is playing well at home, while Saigon FC often performs poorly away from home. To date, Le Hoang Thien and his teammates haven't won a single away match at Thong Nhat Stadium in the V.League 2018 (4 losses, 3 draws).

Playing away at SLNA, defeat awaits coach Phan Van Tai Em's team. On their two previous trips to Vinh Stadium (V.League 2016 and V.League 2017), Saigon FC returned empty-handed both times.

Despite being without their "maestro" Ho Khac Ngoc (suspended) in the upcoming match, SLNA is still considered significantly stronger than the visiting team. Especially since coach Nguyen Duc Thang will welcome back Phan Van Duc and Hoang Van Binh. Victory seems almost certain for Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates.