V-League 2026/27: Which teams face the greatest relegation threat?

When the stadium is empty, documents begin to speak the truth. In the 2026/27 season, Vietnamese football witnesses a major overhaul: two direct relegation spots instead of a play-off. This transforms the relegation battle into a life-or-death struggle with no safety net. Based on my experience following matches, I see five clubs facing the greatest risk: SLNA, Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Thanh Hoa, and HAGL. Each carries a different story, but the common thread is the serious challenges they face. SLNA, a traditionally rich club in a rebuilding phase, has lost four key pillars including two foreign players Michael Olaha and Carlos Fortes. Coach Van Sy Son admits the enormous pressure of building a young squad with limited financial resources. Meanwhile, Bac Ninh and Dong Nai, two V-League newcomers, are spending heavily to avoid a 'one year up, one year down' fate. Bac Ninh brought in three Brazilian players plus seven domestic signings, while Dong Nai is betting big on Cong Phuong's form. But the question is: can money buy stability? Thanh Hoa and HAGL, two experienced clubs, face the opposite challenge: decline. Both are in financial difficulty, and their academy development models are being severely tested. The opening match between SLNA and Bac Ninh at Vinh Stadium will be the first six-pointer, potentially shaping the psychological and tactical tone for both teams throughout the season. Old footage does not lie; only those who watch hastily misunderstand. The truth is this season's relegation battle will be fiercer than ever.