Riding high: Becamex Binh Duong seen in a recent match in the Toyota V.League 1. They will meet Song Lam Nghe An in the event's 14th round today. — Photo doisongphapluat.com

HA NOI (VNS) — Defending Becamex Binh Duong are expected to earn three points against archrivals Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) at the 14th round of the second leg of Toyota V.League 1 today.

The match will be played on their home turf at Go Dau Stadium in the southern province of Binh Duong today.

Binh Duong are confident about their present fitness state. Out of 14 teams, they are first in the ranking table, with 28 points, while SLNA rank fifth, with 21 points.

Binh Duong have met SLNA 21 times since the 2005 national premier league and have won 13 matches, drew four, and lost four.

In the National Cup's quarter-final on June 24, Binh Duong defeated SLNA 2-1.

Although, SLNA aren't appreciated higher than Binh Duong, thousands of fans will cheer for them in Binh Duong.

SLNA's fans will come out in Binh Duong, HCM City, Vung Tau, Dong Nai, and Binh Phuoc to encourage their team ahead of the coming match.

Meanwhile, the northern port city of Hai Phong team are very worried about their physical strength before their match with hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) at Pleiku Stadium in Gia Lai Province, the Central Highlands, tomorrow.

Yesterday, it took them nearly one day to reach Pleiku City by plane and car.

"We are bored of moving on a far stretch of road. My players' strength will be affected. We are at a disadvantage compared with HAGL who have more time to prepare for the match," said Hai Phong's coach Truong Viet Hoang.

Hai Phong have 22 points to rank fourth, while HAGL have nine points to stand at 12th place.

HAGL who have suffered eight losses in a row are at the risk of relegating to the first division tournament. They will not have their best players for their match with Hai Phong. Midfielder Le Duc Luong, Le Hoang Thien, and striker Nguyen Van Toan haven't recovered from injuries.

Meanwhile, with eight undefeated games, Da Nang are showing their gigantic strength in V.League 1. They may have three more points when they meet Ha Noi T&T in Ha Noi's Hang Day Stadium tomorrow.

Dong Thap will face dark horse Quang Ninh Coal, while Khanh Hoa will fight Thanh Hoa tomorrow. — VNS