V.League 2024/25: Tense relegation battle ahead of the final stages.

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

Nam Dinh is proving why they are a strong contender for this year's championship with their consistent play, effective attack, and solid defense. Under the guidance of coach Vu Hong Viet, Nam Dinh not only plays beautifully but also effectively, with a goal difference of +24, the highest in the entire league.

However, a five-point lead doesn't guarantee absolute safety. Hanoi FC remains a resilient team with experience in long-distance races, having overcome crucial moments to claim the championship on numerous occasions. The match against Ho Chi Minh City in round 23 will be an opportunity for the capital's representative to continue to keep pace with and put pressure on Nam Dinh.

Behind them, The Cong Viettel (36 points) and Hong Linh Ha Tinh (35 points) are quietly chasing. Despite receiving less attention, these two teams could spring a surprise if the big teams above them stumble. In particular, the defending champions – Hanoi Police, despite having only 33 points after 21 matches – remain a huge unknown quantity. If they win their postponed match, they will have 36 points, equal to The Cong Viettel, and have a real chance of rejoining the title race at the most crucial moment.

Meanwhile, the upcoming 23rd round will be a true test of character for the top teams. Nam Dinh FC will host Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Thien Truong Stadium – a place where they usually get 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 championship hopes alive. The Cong Viettel faces a difficult away game in Quy Nhon, where the home team is also desperate for points in the relegation battle.

If the title race is intense, the bottom of the table is even more fierce. SHB Da Nang is at the bottom with 17 points, and despite a valuable victory against Binh Dinh, they remain the number one candidate for relegation if they don't maintain their performance in the remaining rounds.

Just above SHB Da Nang is Quy Nhon Binh Dinh with 19 points, but the team from Binh Dinh still has one game in hand and has just made a significant change on the coaching bench with the appointment of coach Tran Minh Chien, in an effort to revive a team that is in crisis both in terms of form and morale.

Meanwhile,Lam River, Nghe AnFollowing their defeat against Hanoi FC right on their home ground in Vinh, they remain stuck at 20 points, while Quang Nam, with 22 points, is also not yet secure of avoiding relegation. With the bottom teams separated by only a few points, each remaining match is like a crucial "final" for these teams.

Notably, Round 23 features three direct confrontations between teams fighting to avoid relegation, promising tense matches. SHB Da Nang will be playing away at Tam Ky Stadium against Quang Nam.

Song Lam Nghe An will face a challenging away match against Hong Linh Ha Tinh in the fiery Central Vietnam derby. This is an unpredictable encounter as both teams have very different goals. The home team, Ha Tinh, is desperate for three points to keep their hopes of breaking into the top three alive, while coach Phan Nhu Thuat's team needs a win to create a safer distance from the bottom of the table. Another defeat would push Song Lam Nghe An deeper into the pressure of the relegation battle.

In another development, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh will face The Cong Viettel in a match where they absolutely must get points. With the home advantage and high expectations following a change in coach, the team from Binh Dinh has no room for error if they don't want to fall further behind the bottom of the table.

In the relegation zone, Ho Chi Minh City FC (25 points), Becamex Binh Duong (26 points), and Hoang Anh Gia Lai (27 points) could still be at risk if they lose consecutively. However, with just 1-2 more wins, these teams would almost certainly secure their survival in the league.

This season's V.League 1 is showing a breathtaking balance. No team is absolutely dominant, nor is any team guaranteed relegation. With four rounds remaining, everything is still up in the air. A slip-up, a last-minute goal conceded, or a moment of individual brilliance could all change the entire course of the game.

Fans are witnessing one of the most exciting seasons in the league's history. And the upcoming 23rd round, with a series of crucial matches, promises to be a major turning point for the entire season.