Before Round 20 of V.League 2025/26: Focus on Ninh Bình!

Round 20 of V.League 2025/26 intensifies with the central focus being the grand battle between Ninh Bình FC and Hanoi FC, along with a series of tight contests at both the leading and relegation groups.

Round 20 of V.League 2025/26 promises great excitement as the championship race, top 3 battle, and relegation fight all enter decisive stages. The biggest spotlight falls on Ninh Bình Stadium, where Ninh Bình FC hosts Hanoi FC in a showdown between two forces directly competing for a leading position. Additionally, many other matches carry equally significant importance at both ends of the standings.

On April 24, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai will host Hai Phong at Pleiku Stadium in a match considered very evenly balanced. HAGL is not yet truly safe in the relegation battle, holding only a 5-point lead over the bottom group, while Hai Phong also needs a win to maintain its top 5 position. On the same day, Ninh Bình FC facing Hanoi FC is the most notable match of the round. The home team is on a 3-match winning streak and previously defeated Hanoi FC in the first leg, while the Capital city club still possesses a deep and experienced squad.

On April 25, Đông Á Thanh Hóa will face PVF-CAND in a match dubbed the "reverse final." Thanh Hóa ranks 12th with 17 points, while PVF-CAND sits in the penultimate position with 13 points. A win would allow the Thanh region team to create a safe gap from the bottom group, while PVF-CAND must secure points to avoid direct relegation risk. This is a survival match for both sides.

Also on April 25, Becamex TP.HCM hosts reigning champion Thép Xanh Nam Định at home. The home team is experiencing 2 consecutive losses and desperately needs points to improve its position, while Nam Định has excellent away form with 3 consecutive wins. Despite winning in the first leg, Becamex TP.HCM is currently rated lower against a strongly revived Nam Định.

On April 26, Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh meets Công an TP.HCM in a context where the visiting team is in a form crisis with 3 consecutive losses and failing to score any goals. Even a draw could be considered acceptable for coach Lê Huỳnh Đức and his team. Meanwhile, SHB Đà Nẵng must fight like a final match when hosting Thể Công Viettel – the team standing second and competing for the runner-up position.

Closing the round is the showdown between CAHN and SLNA at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. With 48 points, CAHN is racing ahead on its championship journey and is rated completely superior to SLNA. The 3-0 victory in the previous round further solidified the strength of coach Polking's team. However, SLNA could still surprise as they did by drawing with CAHN in the first leg, making this match still worth watching.

Round 19 standings of V-League 2025/2026: No changes yet

CAHN has the opportunity to become the strongest club in V-League history