Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Becamex HCMC are two teams that have received a lot of attention from fans. However, entering the 2025-2026 season, both teams have encountered many difficulties.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai, after a difficult season, finishing 9th in the V.League last season, suffered a heavy loss of force. The key players who have carried the family for many years such as Minh Vuong, Chau Ngoc Quang, Dung Quang Nho, Tran Bao Toan, Pham Ly Duc, Le Van Son... have all found a new destination.
To replace them, Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh and the coaching staff have given opportunities to players who have grown up from JMG training center such as Hoang Vinh Nguyen, Tran Gia Huy, Huynh Tuan Vu, Nguyen Duy Tam... With the current force, the team from the mountain town is predicted to have a challenging season.
On Becamex HCMC's side, they also entered the new season with many concerns. The team from the land of Thu has parted ways with striker Nguyen Tien Linh, their number 1 star for the past few seasons. Without the service of the player who scored 13 goals last season, the home team at Go Dau Stadium promises to face many difficulties this season.
Basically, Becamex HCMC has no outstanding players this season. Coach Nguyen Anh Duc will rely heavily on pillars such as Minh Khoa, Ngo Tung Quoc, Tran Dinh Khuong, Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong... to complete the goal of being in the top half of the rankings set by the board of directors.
The head-to-head record between the two teams is currently in favor of Hoang Anh Gia Lai. In the last 5 meetings, the team from the Mountain City won 2 matches, drew 2 matches and lost 1 match. In the V.League last season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai beat Becamex HCMC 4-0 at home.
To support the team's playing style, before entering this year's season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai has represented Pleiku. Accordingly, they have replaced ginger leaf with needle leaf, ensuring a flat, pruning-friendly pitch, without affecting many specialties even when it rains.
But overall, Hoang Anh Gia Lai's achievements this season will depend largely on foreign players, especially the two newly brought in players including midfielder Gabriel Conceicao and striker Rodrigo Fraga, because the quality of their domestic players is not highly appreciated.
The match between Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Becamex HCMC will take place at 5:00 p.m. on August 17.
Score prediction: Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-1 Becamex HCMC.
