PLEIKU, Vietnam (Interstat) — Two V.League 1 sides mired in the bottom half of the table will seek a crucial victory when Hoang Anh Gia Lai hosts Thanh Hoa on Saturday.

The matchup at Pleiku Stadium pits two teams struggling for consistent form. The home side, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, holds a slight edge in the league standings, entering with a record of 2-4-3. Thanh Hoa is just below them, sitting on a 1-5-4 record in V.League 1 play.

Recent form offers a mixed picture. Hoang Anh Gia Lai is coming off a 1-0 loss to Hong Linh Tinh on Tuesday. However, they earned a confidence-boosting 3-0 victory over Ha Noi and a 2-1 win against CLB The Cong - Viettel in late October.

Thanh Hoa’s season has been defined by a lack of wins, with their only V.League 1 victory coming on Oct. 26 against Song Lam Nghe An. They are looking to rebound from a 1-0 home loss to CLB The Cong - Viettel this past Sunday.

The most recent head-to-head meeting favors the hosts. On Sept. 13, Hoang Anh Gia Lai secured a 2-0 away victory over Thanh Hoa.

According to the Interstat game simulator, this contest is projected to end in a 1-1 draw. Both teams will be desperate for three points to climb the table and build momentum.