The V-League 2025-2026 relegation race: SHB Da Nang holds the greatest advantages.

Following 25 matchdays, the struggle to avoid relegation in the V-League 2025-2026 has escalated to its most intense point.

With only one round remaining in the season, three teams—SHB Da Nang, PVF-CAND, and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City—are all locked on 21 points, standing on the brink of survival. Just one more game will determine who stays in the V-League, who enters the play-off, and who is directly relegated.

Looking at the fixtures, SHB Da Nang appears somewhat more favored as they will host Dong A Thanh Hoa at home. This is a substantial advantage at a time of immense pressure. Da Nang knows that a victory will almost certainly secure their place in the top flight. Not only because of the precious three points, but also due to the psychological boost of playing in front of their home supporters.

Their opponent has already secured their survival and feels no pressure over points. Additionally, Da Nang managed a 1-1 draw away against Thanh Hoa in the first leg of this V-League campaign.

Of the three sides, Da Nang possesses the most experienced squad in the V-League. This could become a major asset in the decisive match. Crucially, Da Nang also holds the upper hand in head-to-head records against both relegation rivals: they have won both meetings with Becamex HCMC, and claimed one win and one draw against PVF CAND.

Therefore, if they defeat Thanh Hoa at home, Da Nang will be guaranteed to stay up. In case of a draw or loss, they must wait for the results of Becamex HCMC and PVF CAND to find out whether they are safe, must contest a play-off, or face direct relegation.

As for PVF-CAND, their survival chances are not as high as those of the South Korean-linked team, but they still exist. PVF CAND will visit SLNA, with the Nghe An side having no remaining objectives. PVF CAND previously beat this opponent 2-1 at home in the first leg, providing them with a mental anchor in this struggle.

PVF CAND must defeat SLNA to at least secure a play-off spot against the runner-up of the First Division. They trail Da Nang in head-to-head (one draw, one loss) but lead Becamex HCMC (one win, one draw). So, if they beat SLNA, they will definitely finish above Becamex HCMC and at least gain a play-off opportunity.

Becamex HCMC is the most unfavorable team. They have the advantage of playing at home against HAGL in the final round, and they previously defeated this opponent 3-0 in the first leg. However, even if they beat the mountain team, Becamex HCMC must still hope that Da Nang and/or PVF CAND drop points to have a chance at the play-off or, ideally, to survive outright.

If both Da Nang and PVF CAND win in the final round, Becamex HCMC will undoubtedly finish bottom of the V-League (due to inferior head-to-head records against Da Nang and PVF CAND) and therefore be relegated regardless of a victory over HAGL.