Predicting the V-League

The LPBank V-League 2025/2026 has entered its second half. Based on the teams' performances so far, we can confidently "predict" the championship race as well as the relegation battle.

CAHN solidifies top spot

Round 14 showcased CAHN's overwhelming strength with a 3-1 victory over HAGL. This win not only consolidated their lead but also brought Coach Polking's team close to a historic league milestone, one that hadn't been matched for 8 years.

With 35 points from 13 matches (11 wins, 2 draws), CAHN has officially equaled the best-ever league start set by Hanoi FC in 2018. This number reflects CAHN's dominant form in the first half of this season.

Under Coach Polking, CAHN displays a fiery yet pragmatic attacking style. The consistency of key players like Quang Hai, Alan Sebastiao, and Leo Artur has helped the team maintain explosive form, creating a safe gap from the chasing pack, aiming to surpass records once set by Hanoi FC in V-League history.

Interestingly, the schedule has set up a dramatic scenario. In the upcoming Round 15 on March 8th, CAHN will face none other than Hanoi FC, the team holding the previous record. In the 2018 season, Hanoi FC's unbeaten streak ended after 13 matches with a 2-5 loss to Sai Gon FC. This means CAHN needs just a minimum of 1 point in the upcoming direct clash to officially surpass Hanoi FC and become the team with the best start in the 26-year history of the V-League.

The ambition of Coach Polking and his players extends beyond just the best start. Their long-term goal is to break the record of 64 points in a single season, another "unprecedented" milestone held by their rival Hanoi FC. Given their current point-earning efficiency, CAHN is fully capable of setting a new benchmark for Vietnamese football. Of course, the remaining 13 matches of the 2025/2026 season still hold many challenges that will test CAHN's mettle. The major clash on March 8th is not merely a Capital derby but also a battle for Hanoi FC to defend its V-League records against the formidable rise of a new force.

Unpredictable relegation battle

The fight to avoid relegation is intensely tense among clubs like SHB Da Nang, Thanh Hoa, SLNA, HAGL, and PVF-CAND. The commonality for these clubs is limited financial resources and foreign players who are not overwhelmingly superior, forcing them to rely on the potential of their U23 talents.

SHB Da Nang secured a precious victory against PVF-CAND at Hoa Xuan Stadium, which has returned to its legendary former name, Chi Lang. This "six-pointer" win broke the deadlock for the team from the Han River city, boosting both morale and their league position. SHB Da Nang has been, is, and will do everything possible to retain their place in Vietnam's top football division.

While clubs like Nam Dinh or Becamex TP.HCM maintain safety through seasoned experience, teams relying heavily on young players are struggling. SHB Da Nang had to reinforce their squad with defender Que Ngoc Hai and other foreign signings to salvage their situation. Meanwhile, HAGL adopts a pragmatic playing style to compensate for the inexperience in their lineup.

Despite facing immense pressure, this adversity is seen as a "trial by fire" for the young talents. No longer sheltered by top-tier senior players, having to fend for themselves as underdogs will help them develop competitive resilience and the ability to handle pressure. These hard-earned experiences in the V-League now are crucial preparation for them to make greater contributions to the national team in the future.