V-League ranking criteria: Not goal difference, but head-to-head is the deciding factor.

The battle to avoid relegation in the 2025/26 V-League is very thrilling because, following matchday 25, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, PVF-CAND, and Da Nang are all on 21 points. In case they still have equal points after the last round, what criterion will be applied to decide their positions?

V-League ranking criteria prioritize head-to-head results.

Unlike many leagues worldwide where goal difference is the top priority, the V-League applies the principle of evaluating direct head-to-head performance before considering overall statistics.

According to the regulations of the National Football Championship V-League, the rankings of teams are determined first by the total points earned over the entire season. However, when two or more teams are tied on points, the organizers will consider the results of matches between those teams.

The order applied includes head-to-head points, goal difference in head-to-head matches, goals scored, and goals scored away from home. The team with better indicators is ranked higher.

Notably, if after the first calculation there are still teams tied, the organizers will separate the remaining equal group and recalculate head-to-head records until the final ranking is determined.

Only when all direct head-to-head parameters are identical does the V-League turn to consider the entire season's indicators. Then, overall goal difference is prioritized, followed by total goals scored and away goals. This means that a team with a better goal difference may not necessarily be ranked higher if its head-to-head record against direct opponents is worse.

If the professional indicators still cannot create a difference, the organizers will use the fair-play table based on the number of cards the teams receive during the season. Each yellow card counts as 1 point, indirect or direct red card as 3 points, and a case of receiving both a yellow and a direct red in the same match will be penalized with 4 points.

The team with a lower total card points will be ranked higher, thereby encouraging fair play and limiting unsportsmanlike behavior.

In an extremely rare case where all the above criteria are equal, the regulations stipulate that the organizers will conduct a draw to determine the ranking.

With the three teams Becamex TP.HCM, PVF-CAND, and Da Nang all holding 21 points before the final round, fans will surely not only follow the match results but also closely monitor the head-to-head indicators. Based on the head-to-head results among these three teams, Becamex Binh Duong is at the biggest disadvantage. Thus, they no longer have the right to decide their own fate in the final round.