Sông Lam Nghệ An (pictured) are ready to face Hà Nội FC in the V.League 1 on May 4. — Photo baonghean.vn

HÀ NỘI — After a one-month pause to accommodate the U23 Vietnamese team's schedule, the V.League 1 2023-2024 will resume with round 16 matches on May 3-5.

The first match on May 3 will feature Hà Tĩnh, currently seventh with 20 points, against Quảng Nam, who sit 11th with 16 points. This presents an opportunity for Quảng Nam to secure points and improve their chances of staying in the league.

May 4 will showcase two matches between teams at the top of the table, Thanh Hóa vs Bình Định and Hà Nội Police vs Nam Định. Thanh Hóa, currently sit in fifth with 22 points, have a chance to close the gap with Bình Định, who are also on 22 points and are fourth.

The match between the top two teams Hà Nội Police (second with 28 points) and Nam Định (third with 32 points), promises to be even more captivating. If Hà Nội Police secure a victory, Hàng Đẫy Stadium, they will narrow the gap to just one point with the group's top team. A win for Hà Nội Police would make the race for the championship extremely dramatic.

The remaining matches on May 4 are also noteworthy. Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) will face Hà Nội FC, Bình Dương will take on Khánh Hòa, and Hải Phòng will clash with HCM City.

Despite facing a formidable opponent in Hà Nội FC, SLNA fans have reasons to believe that coach Phan Như Thuật and his team can secure points at Vinh Stadium. In recent matches, SLNA achieved a 2-0 victory against MerryLand Quy Nhơn Bình Định and two draws against Quảng Nam and Hải Phòng. These results are considered positive for SLNA this season.

Hà Nội suffered defeats against MerryLand Quy Nhơn Bình Định, Đông Á Thanh Hóa, and Nam Định. Hence, this sets the stage for SLNA to hope for a favourable outcome in the match.

During the recent break, SLNA welcomed the return of several key players, including Trần Nam Hải and Đinh Xuân Tiến, who have fully recovered from their injuries. Additionally, defender Vương Văn Huy has completed his suspension and is ready to return. These players will provide coach Thuật with quality options.

In contrast, Hà Nội will be without their striking duo of Nguyễn Văn Quyết and Tagueu Joel. Quyết has accumulated three yellow cards, while Joel received a red card previously. Both Quyết and Joel are vital assets in the capital team's attacking line. The Cameroonian striker has scored eight goals and provided two assists, while Quyết has contributed three goals and five assists to the team. Consequently, the absence of this duo will make it more challenging for Hà Nội to penetrate SLNA's defence.

In other news, the closing match of round 16 will be a contest between Thể Công Viettel and Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, taking place at 7.15pm on May 5 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. VNS