The relegation race: A personal battle for PVF-CAND and Becamex TP.HCM

On June 7th at 6 PM, the LPBank V-League 2025/26's last round will kick off across all venues. Theoretically, three clubs—PVF-CAND, Becamex TP.HCM, and SHB Đà Nẵng—are tied on 21 points in the survival race. Yet, looking at the present landscape, it is almost exclusively a duel between PVF-CAND and Becamex TP.HCM to escape the automatic relegation spot.

Although SHB Đà Nẵng is not yet officially safe, they hold significant advantages in terms of home ground and head-to-head record over the two teams below them. The club coached by Lê Đức Tuấn boasts the best goal difference among the dangerous group (21 points, goal difference -10) and sits in 12th place on the table.

Playing the final round at their home ground Chi Lăng against Thanh Hóa—a side that achieved its objectives long ago and has an uncertain future—gives SHB Đà Nẵng a chance to secure a full three points. That is why experts believe the relegation battle effectively revolves around the bottom two clubs.

PVF-CAND enters the final round with greater disadvantages, sitting last with 21 points and a goal difference of -20, and they must travel to Vinh to face SLNA. However, their current situation may present a significant opportunity for coach Trần Tiến Đại's squad.

SLNA is free from performance pressure. The Vinh-based club has already fulfilled its season objectives, and their mindset will certainly not be as tense as that of an opponent on the brink of relegation. If they play to their potential, PVF-CAND can realistically hope for a victory.

Second-from-bottom Becamex TP.HCM (21 points, goal difference -14) holds some advantages but faces immense pressure. This team has the worst record among the relegation contenders, having failed to win any match in the last nine rounds over the past three months.

A notable point is the playing attitude of visiting side HAGL, which has become a topic of interest. Becamex TP.HCM faces the Mountain City team at a time when HAGL has already secured their survival. However, HAGL suffered an easy loss to PVF-CAND earlier this season, with former player Lý Đức making an impact by scoring the decisive goal.

It is possible that HAGL will enter the match in Bình Dương determined to prove a point. A fair contest played with full effort for honor, not to mention the fiery spirit of young players, could cause serious trouble for the home side.

Becamex TP.HCM has squandered too many opportunities to control their own destiny in the final stretch and now must win to save themselves. But given their worst head-to-head record among the bottom three, if Becamex TP.HCM beats HAGL while both SHB Đà Nẵng and PVF-CAND also win in the final round, the Thu Duc team will be officially relegated. In the mini-league among these three clubs this season, Becamex TP.HCM has only 1 point, PVF-CAND has 5, and SHB Đà Nẵng has as many as 10.

A painful scenario for coach Hứa Hiền Vinh's side—winning yet still being relegated—is very real. This gives PVF-CAND extra motivation to win the final round and climb to 13th place, securing a play-off spot against Bắc Ninh.

Of course, a play-off is never a comfortable experience. It remains a match fraught with risks. However, V-League history shows that top-tier teams usually hold a clear advantage over their second-division opponents.