All to play for: Binh Duong in action against Hoang Anh Gia Lai in a recent match. Binh Duong will travel to Da Nang to face former champions SHB Da Nang today. — Photo bongdaso.com

HA NOI (VNS)  — Becamex Binh Duong is facing stiff competition from Thanh Hoa in the race to win the V.League 1 title this year.

Defending champions Becamex Binh Duong top the ranking with 29 points, just one point more than their rival, Thanh Hoa, ahead of this weekend's round 15.

Binh Duong will travel to Da Nang City to face former champions SHB Da Nang, who have been having their worst season ever and really need to improve their position.

Da Nang's coach Le Huynh Duc and his players have been asked to win this match to make sure they still have a chance to finish in the top three.

They are now at number nine and have 10 points less than Binh Duong.

Coach Mai Duc Chung of Binh Duong said his team's place was under serious threat. If Binh Duong lose to Da Nang, Thanh Hoa will definitely jump in.

Some other clubs too, such as Quang Ninh Coal, Hai Phong and even Da Nang, are eyeing the spot.

In the first leg, Binh Duong won 3-2.

Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa will play on its home turf with Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who are at risk of being relegated.

Thanh Hoa are in good form with eight matches that they either won or drew. They are the team with best results on the home turf (four wins and two draws).

Hoang Anh Gia Lai did not win on an outside ground this season. Their last win was six months ago.

Their poor performance has pushed them to the 12th position, with only 10 points.

Coach Guillaume Graechen of Hoang Anh Gia Lai, however, is hopeful of a win in Thanh Hoa Stadium.

The French coach said every match was a final. His team need three points from the match with Thanh Hoa, which will motivate them to last till the end of the tournament. He needs his players to keep fighting as they did in a draw with Hai Phong last week.

All matches of the 15th round will be held today.

The other matches are Song Lam Nghe An vs Dong Tam Long An, Ha Noi T&T vs Quang Nam, Hai Phong vs Sanna Khanh Hoa, and Dong Nai vs Dong Thap, as well as Quang Ninh vs Can Tho.

V.League 1's matches will be aired on YouTube for the first time, besides on VTV6 channel as usual.

The Viet Nam Professional Football joint-stock company (PVF) is managing the league's plans to broadcast four matches this week on YouTube VPF – TV. — VNS