The HCMC team currently has 25 points, ranking 9th on the rankings. In the previous round, they had a spectacular 2-1 victory on Thanh Hoa's field.
This result helps them take another step forward on the path to completing their relegation goal. With the current situation, the Thong Nhat Stadium team is almost certain to complete the task.
Similarly, the away team Hai Phong also has 25 points, but is ranked 7th. In the previous round, they drew 0-0 with Song Lam Nghe An at home despite having dozens of shots.
In this match, the Hai Phong City team was unlucky when the ball hit the crossbar and post of the away team several times.
Hai Phong team also does not have many goals to strive for this season, after being eliminated from the National Cup.
Therefore, they came to visit the Ho Chi Minh City team with a relaxed mentality. Their goal is nothing other than to win, to consolidate their position, to complete their relegation this season.
The HCMC - Hai Phong match is a match between two teams with quite different styles. The Thong Nhat Stadium team played tightly and strongly in counter-attacks, quickly changing the state.
Meanwhile, the away team has a diverse attacking style of play. However, Hai Phong's problem in recent matches is their effectiveness in attack.
The visitors' strikers have not scored in the last 2 matches, when they lost 0-1 to Hoang Anh Gia Lai and drew 0-0 with Song Lam Nghe An.
If they continue to repeat the bad luck and waste opportunities like recently, Hai Phong will find it difficult to get points at Thong Nhat Stadium.
In the first leg, Hai Phong beat Ho Chi Minh City 2-0 at home. The head-to-head record in the last 5 meetings between the two teams is also completely in favor of Hai Phong, when they won 4 and drew 1 against their opponents.
Expected lineups of Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong:
HCMC: Nguyen Manh Cuong, Thanh Thao, Tran Manh Cuong, Hoang Phuc, Adriano Schmidt, Vu Tin, Ngoc Long, Thanh Khoi, Vinh Nguyen, Van Binh, Endrick.
Hai Phong: Dinh Trieu, Van Toi, Tien Dung, Trung Hieu, Duy Kien, Huu Son, Hoang Nam, Friday, Viet Hung, Van Tu, Lucao.
Score prediction: Ho Chi Minh City 1-1 Hai Phong.
