The home team Ho Chi Minh City has 16 points after 14 rounds, ranked 11th out of 14. They are still uncertain to stay in the league, so a victory at this stage will be very important for coach Phung Thanh Phuong and his team.
In terms of form, the HCMC team has only won 1/6 of their most recent matches. That was when they beat bottom team Da Nang 1-0 on January 24. In the last 3 matches, Vo Huy Toan and his teammates have not tasteed victory.
Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai has 17 points, currently ranked 9/14. The form of the Mountain City team has declined recently. In the previous round, Hoang Anh Gia Lai lost 0-3 to Hanoi FC at home. In the last 7 matches in the V.League, coach Le Quang Trai's team only had 1 win.
In the first leg, Hoang Anh Gia Lai drew 2-2 with Ho Chi Minh City at home. Le Huu Phuoc and Chau Ngoc Quang scored to help the home team at Pleiku lead 2-0. However, in the second half, the HCMC team played resiliently to get 2 equalizers thanks to Endrick and Doan Hai Quan.
This result made Hoang Anh Gia Lai's Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh angry. Meanwhile, coach Phung Thanh Phuong of the Ho Chi Minh City team was not really satisfied with the playing style of his students.
The head-to-head record between the two teams is balanced. In the last 5 meetings, each team has 2 wins, the remaining match ended in a draw. In the match at Thong Nhat Stadium last season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai won the home team with a score of 2-1.
Regarding the force, the Ho Chi Minh City team will not have the service of Hoang Phuc because they have received 3 yellow cards. However, the away team will suffer a greater disadvantage when goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien and foreign player Jairo will not be able to play because of free cards. These are two important players in the playing style of the Pleiku home team.
With home advantage and a relatively full force, the HCMC team has many opportunities to defeat Hoang Anh Gia Lai, thereby improving their position on the rankings.
The HCMC vs Hoang Anh Gia Lai match will take place at 7:15 p.m. on March 2.
Score prediction: Ho Chi Minh City 1-0 Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
