The trip to Vinh stadium has never been a comfortable one for manager Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side during the past seasons, and there is no exception this year. Despite currently leading the title race, 16 points clear of the Nghe An team, Hanoi will have to enter the encounter with top concentration and precaution, if they do not want to fall victim to Song Lam Nghe An, who are eager for a win to escape from the relegation zone.
Given that fact, the return of Thanh Luong is good news for Hanoi’s bid to extend their unbeaten streak to ten matches and consolidate their hold on the top of the table. Luong is considered the playmaker of the 2016 champions with his brilliant passing skills and magical left foot, and his comeback is expected to diversify and strengthen Hanoi’s already impressive attacking line.
The 2018 V.League table ahead of the tenth round.
In addition, the good form of Nigerian forward Oseni, who is the frontrunner in the race for the “top scorer” award with an amazing tally of 11 goals, will also be a big boost to Hanoi’s confidence in taking the full three points at Vinh stadium.
Together with XSKT Can Tho, Becamex Binh Duong have delivered exceptional displays in the past few top-flight games. Since their 1-2 defeat at Can Tho in the third round, the 2014 title holders have gone six consecutive V.League matches without losing, including a commanding 3-1 win over reigning champions Quang Nam FC on May 5.
Becamex Binh Duong holders have now gone six consecutive V.League matches without losing.
Notably, manager Tran Minh Chien and his players remain unbeaten at home this season, securing five wins and two draws on both the V.League and National Cup battlefields. Excluding the 1-1 fourth-round draw against in-form Hanoi FC, there are no games in which Nguyen Anh Duc and teammates scored fewer than two goals since then. Those statistical figures are the warnings for Saigon FC ahead of their upcoming departure for a tenth-round clash at Go Dau stadium.
Saigon, managed by Phan Van Tai Em, are joining Song Lam Nghe An in the bottom group of the standings with only seven points won after nine games. Ahead of their trip to Binh Duong, the southern team have gone five matches in a row without a win, most recently the 1-2 home defeat against Can Tho last weekend. It promises to be a very tough task for the wayward Saigon to secure even a single point at Go Dau.
Newly promoted Nam Dinh FC (in yellow) are currently among the relegation candidates.
Nam Dinh FC are currently on course for the ignominy of being relegated after just one season, with manager Nguyen Van Sy’s side having been rooted to bottom position for several rounds, scoring just four points after one win and one draw. Following a 2-5 loss at reigning champions Quang Nam FC, Nam Dinh will continue to be face a big challenge, as they are travelling to Nha Trang stadium of Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN, currently no. 6 in the provisional standings. After conceding three straight goals against Hai Phong last weekend, manager Vo Dinh Tuan’s side, who have lost only two games this season, will undoubtedly make the optimal use of tomorrow’s encounter with the V.League newbies to take the full three points and narrow the gap with the five teams above in the title race.
