HCM CITY (VNS)— Candidates for the Eximbank V-League title look set to widen the gap at the top of the table as they are the clear favourites in the 12th round to be played this weekend.

In its first match of the second half today, title contender and leading team, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA), will host Kien Long Bank Kien Giang, which is in 10th place, at Vinh Stadium in Vinh City, Nghe An Province.

The last round of the first half of the season provided a sharp contrast between the two teams when SLNA failed to win any of the four final games and Kien Giang impressed with two wins in a row. Still, it will be a surprise if Kien Giang leaves Vinh City with a point.

Another title candidate, defending champion SHB Da Nang, which are ranked fourth with 17 points and with two games in hand, are head and shoulders above the visitors and bottom-ranked team Becamex Binh Duong.

Coach Le Huynh Duc's SHB team are on the cards to score full points at Da Nang's Chi Lang Stadium to stay close to SLNA.

The eighth-placed host, Sai Gon Xuan Thanh, will take on fifth-placed Vicem Hai Phong at Thong Nhat Stadium in a match that is tipped to be the tightest game of the round.

On Sunday, the title contender Ha Noi T&T, in second place with 19 points, are also favourites over The Vissai Ninh Binh, which are ranked seventh with 13 points, as the two teams lock horns at Hang Day Stadium, Ha Noi.

Of the teams playing at home, Dong Nai and Dong Tam are the most likely to lose points this round.

Dong Nai, which have not won in four games and languish in 10th place with 12 points, are up against tough team Thanh Hoa and their striker Mac Hong Quan.

Dong Tam, ranked second from bottom, face an even bigger risk of leaving empty-handed as they take on third-placed Hoang Anh Gia Lai, which has the skill to challenge for the title. — VNS