V.League 2024/25: Tense relegation race before the final stage

With only four rounds left in the season, all eyes are on the matches that will decide the fate of the teams. After 22 rounds, Nam Dinh Blue Steel is leading with 45 points, creating a gap of 5 points over the chasing team.Hanoi FC(40 points).

The team from Thanh Nam is proving why they are a strong candidate for this year's championship with stable play, effective attack and solid defense. Under the guidance of coach Vu Hong Viet, Nam Dinh not only plays beautifully but also plays effectively, with a goal difference of +24, the highest in the tournament.

However, a 5-point gap does not guarantee absolute safety. Hanoi FC has always been a brave team, experienced in long-distance racing and has overcome many key moments to win the championship. The match against Ho Chi Minh City in round 23 will be an opportunity for the capital representative to continue to stick close and put pressure on Nam Dinh.

Behind, The Cong Viettel (36 points) and Hong Linh Ha Tinh (35 points) are quietly chasing. Although they are not noticed much, these two teams can completely create a surprise if the big teams above stumble. In particular, the defending champion - Cong An Ha Noi, although only has 33 points after 21 matches, is still a huge unknown. If they win the make-up match, they will have 36 points, equal to The Cong Viettel and are completely capable of returning to the championship race at the most intense moment.

Meanwhile, the upcoming round 23 will be a real test of mettle for the top group. Nam Dinh Club will host Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Thien Truong Stadium – where they often score points, but Hoang Anh Gia Lai has never been an easy opponent. At the same time, Hanoi FC will host Ho Chi Minh City in a must-win match if they want to keep their hopes of winning the championship alive. The Cong Viettel will have a difficult away trip to Quy Nhon Stadium, where the home team is also "thirsty for points" because of the relegation battle.

If the championship race is hot, the bottom of the table is even more fierce. SHB Da Nang is at the bottom of the table with 17 points, despite having just had a precious victory over Binh Dinh, they are still the number one candidate for relegation if they cannot maintain their improvement in the remaining rounds.

Ranked right above SHB Da Nang is Quy Nhon Binh Dinh with 19 points, but the team from the land of Vo still has one match left to play and has just made an important change on the coaching bench when appointing coach Tran Minh Chien, in an effort to revive a team that is falling into crisis in both form and spirit.

Meanwhile,Lam River Nghe An, after the defeat against Hanoi right at Vinh Stadium, is still stuck at 20 points, while Quang Nam with 22 points cannot be assured of staying in the league. In the context of the bottom group being only a few points apart, each remaining match is no different from a "final" match of survival for these teams.

Notably, round 23 has three direct confrontations between relegation teams, promising tense matches. SHB Da Nang will be a guest at Tam Ky Stadium of Quang Nam.

Song Lam Nghe An will have a challenging trip to Hong Linh Ha Tinh's home field in a fiery Central derby. This is an unpredictable confrontation as both teams have very different goals. The home team Ha Tinh is eager for 3 points to keep their hopes of breaking into the top 3 alive, while coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his team need a victory to create a safer distance from the bottom group. If they continue to lose, Song Lam Nghe An will be pushed deeper into the pressure of relegation.

In another development, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh will face The Cong Viettel in a must-win situation. With home field advantage and expectations after the change of coach, the team from the land of Vo has no way back if they do not want to be left behind by the bottom group.

In the group above the danger zone, Ho Chi Minh City Club (25 points), Becamex Binh Duong (26 points) and Hoang Anh Gia Lai (27 points) may still be at risk if they continue to lose. However, with just 1-2 more wins, these teams will almost certainly stay in the league.

V.League 1 this season is showing a breathtaking balance. No team is absolutely superior, nor is any team "sure" to be relegated. With 4 rounds left, everything is still ahead. A misstep, a last-minute goal or a moment of individual brilliance can change the whole situation.

Fans are witnessing one of the most exciting seasons in the history of the tournament. And the upcoming round 23, with a series of decisive matches, promises to be a major turning point of the entire season.