Song Lam Nghe An and the challenges facing The Cong Viettel.

The match between The Cong Viettel and Song Lam Nghe An in Round 20 of the V.League 2024/2025 promises to be very exciting, as both teams need points to achieve different goals. The Cong Viettel, with the home advantage, is aiming for a victory to continue chasing the top spot. Meanwhile, Song Lam Nghe An is struggling at the bottom of the table and needs points to avoid relegation.

In the previous round, The Cong Viettel suffered a 1-3 defeat against Thanh Hoa, but they still maintained their 4th position with 30 points. The military team possesses a deep squad and a disciplined playing style, with quality foreign players such as Pedro Henrique, Wesley Nata, and Amarillo playing in high form, alongside a strong domestic squad including Tien Dung, Van Khang, Duc Chien, and Huu Thang. Viettel's physically demanding style, high-pressure pressing, and flexible attacking play are always weapons that any opponent must be wary of.

Conversely, Song Lam Nghe An is facing many difficulties. Their 1-1 draw against Quang Nam in round 19 leaves them stuck in 12th place with 19 points. The team from Nghe An is struggling in the relegation battle, and their upcoming schedule is anything but easy, as they face consecutive away matches against The Cong Viettel and Hai Phong before returning to Vinh to host Hanoi FC.

One of Song Lam Nghe An's biggest losses is the injury to midfielder Zaracho, who suffered an ankle injury in the match against Thanh Hoa in round 18 and will need at least three weeks to recover. His absence leaves a void in the defense, where he plays a crucial role, as Hoang Van Khanh loses his reliable defensive partner. In many recent matches, Zaracho has stood out with his excellent saves, which are no different from crucial goals for the team.

The most promising candidate to replace Zaracho right now is center-back Le Van Thanh. The player wearing number 5 has performed relatively consistently in 2025, excelling in tackling, strong in aerial duels, and good positioning. However, Van Thanh's weakness lies in his speed and stamina. He often runs out of breath in sprints and struggles to maintain consistency throughout the 90 minutes of play.

The head-to-head history between the two teams also doesn't favor Song Lam Nghe An. In the previous 24 encounters, Viettel held a clear advantage. Notably, in their most recent meeting on November 19, 2024, Song Lam Nghe An suffered a 0-5 defeat at their home ground in Vinh.

However, the positive aspect is the unwavering fighting spirit of the Nghe An team. “In every match, Song Lam Nghe An shows immense determination, treating each game like a final, hoping for a good result at the end of the season. Each upcoming match will not just be about securing three points, but about survival, about showcasing the character and pride of one of the most traditional teams in the V.League,” Captain Hoang Van Khanh emphasized.

Given the current situation, The Cong Viettel is considered slightly superior and has a higher chance of winning. However, if Song Lam Nghe An can maintain discipline and make good use of counter-attacks, they can still aim for a positive result.