Demarcation of dangerous groups
In theory, with 7 matches ahead, in addition to Cong An Ha Noi, The Cong Viettel and Ninh Binh, the remaining 11 teams of V.League 2025-2026 have not ensured relegation.
However, considering the actual form, experts and fans soon cordoned off 4 dangerous names, namely Hoang Anh Gia Lai (11th, 18 points), Dong A Thanh Hoa (12th, 17 points), PVF-CAND (13th, 13 points) and SHB Da Nang (14th, 12 points).
Similar to last season, the bottom-ranked team will be directly relegated, while the penultimate club will have to play a play-off match for a relegation ticket with the runner-up of the First Division.
Da Nang Club understands this scenario better than anyone. Last season, the Han River team had to try very hard to overcome adversity. The brilliant performance of goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung and some key factors helped Da Nang rise from the bottom of the table to the second-to-last position overall, before defeating Truong Tuoi Dong Nai (then called Binh Phuoc) in the relegation match.
This year, coach Le Duc Tuan's team once again touched the bottom of the rankings after 19 rounds. After the important victory against PVF-CAND at the end of February, Da Nang did not create the necessary momentum to break through. Conversely, 2 draws and 5 consecutive defeats made this team bogged down.
In the middle of the season, despite recruiting a series of new players such as Ribamar, Nguyen Hoang, Que Ngoc Hai and the presence of naturalized center-back Do Phi Long, Da Nang did not achieve the expected results.
In front of Da Nang are 2 difficult matches when facing 2 championship-winning teams, The Cong Viettel and Hanoi FC. Anyway, in the next 4 rounds, Le Duc Tuan's team will successively meet mid-range teams, belonging to the middle group of the rankings that are not very motivated such as Becamex HCMC, Ho Chi Minh City Police, Hai Phong and Ha Tinh, before having a "6 points" match with Dong A Thanh Hoa in the last round of the season.
Will PVF-CAND return to the First Division?
Similar to Da Nang, PVF-CAND is also "sitting on pins and needles". V.League promotion is in a special category when Quang Nam does not participate in the tournament close to the start of the season, PVF-CAND does not have thorough preparation in terms of force.
As of before round 20, this team has replaced 3 head coaches and 4-5 foreign players. The domestic players of PVF-CAND are mostly young players with great potential, but lack professional playing experience.
PVF-CAND has only had 2 victories this season. In 4 of the last 6 matches, they have been defeated by strong opponents. The schedule allows coach Tran Tien Dai's team to decide their own fate, when they will successively meet Thanh Hoa, Hong Linh Ha Tinh and Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
If they win all 3 matches, PVF-CAND is considered to have escaped danger spectacularly. However, in the opposite direction, if the result is not as desired, this team may push itself back to the First Division.
Dong A Thanh Hoa is also very much looking forward to the "6 points" match with PVF-CAND. This team will welcome the return of Ngoc Tan, Damoth and Doan Ngoc Ha. These faces can help coach Mai Xuan Hop reduce the burden of force.
The force story became a chronic headache, lasting for the whole season of this year for the Thanh team. Currently, they also have to part ways with Rimario for many reasons.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai is also a candidate at risk of relegation. Fluctuating form makes them ranked 11th and 5 points higher than the dangerous group.
The schedule does not support the Mountain Town team. Song Lam Nghe An, PVF-CAND, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa all need points to stay in the league. Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai's opponent in the penultimate round, Hanoi FC, is also competing for the top 3 of the V.League. Therefore, if there is a loophole in the next rounds, Hoang Anh Gia Lai's position will be threatened.
