Thursday, April 5, 2012

Weekend Preview 7-8 April

TPL
(Saturday)
Chiang Rai Utd v Thai Port
Bangkok Glass v Police Utd
Chonburi v Isan Utd
Wuachon v BBCU

(Sunday)
TTM V BEC Tero
Pattaya v Chainat
Muangthong v TOT
Army v Osotspa Saraburi
Samut Songkhram v Buriram Utd

The TPL table already has a familiar look to it with Buriram United leading the chasing pack and a top 8 that has all the foreseen suspects clambering for position in this 34 game season marathon.
Buriram United travel to Samut Songkhram on Sunday hoping to maintain their 100% winning start. Samut Songkhram were widely tipped to be relegated but they'll be able to take heart from their early season form.
Muangthong entertain near neighbors and ex lodgers TOT. Both sides enter the encounter on the back of two draws. While on the subject of deadlocks, TTM and Chainat are the draw experts with three apiece from three games. The duo have tough fixtures this Sunday and making it four draws out of four wouldn't be too bad an outcome.
Chonburi remain unbeaten in all competitions this year but they are another side that have tied their last two matches in the TPL. I can't see that sequence extending to three as the Sharks should be too strong for Isan United.
Bottom side Thai Port will be seeking their opening point up at Chaing Rai. Last season's four games between the two clubs yielded four draws. If last year's TPL fixture between Bangkok Glass and Police is a yardstick, then expect an abundance of goals. BG won that one 5-3 but Police exacted some revenge a couple of weeks later when their 3-1 win at the Leo Stadium saw the Glass Rabbits crash out of the Toyota League Cup.
The Army v Osotspa fixture for me, you guessed it, has draw written all over it. Cue a 4-0 win for one of them!!
Lastly, the worst kept secret of the past few weeks is finally out of the bag as Wuachon have been granted permission to use the Tinsulanon Stadium in Songkla after weeks of chest puffing, pleading and threats. The first home opponents for the club formerly know as Buriram FC are BBCU.

Division 1
(Saturday)
Bangkok FC v Songkla
JW Rangsit v PTT Rayong
Raj Pracha v Krabi
Korat v Siam Navy
Saraburi v Pattalung

(Sunday)
Khon Kaen v FC Phuket
Suphanburi v Ratchaburi
Sriracha v Air Force
Bangkok Utd v Chantaburi

The battle of the "Buris" is the prominent contest with fourth placed Suphanburi ready for the visit of table toppers Ratchaburi. Suphaburi have the meanest defence in the league with zero goals conceded. At the other end, slightly worryingly, would be the fact that the Warriors have only scored three goals from four which is two less than Ratchaburi's Douglas Gardozo who has hit the net five times.
Pattalung, despite having one of the smallest budgets in the league, are level on points with Ratchaburi in second spot. Their fixture at Saraburi will be seen as a great chance for 3 points as is third placed PTT Rayong's match in Nakhon Nayok against JW Rangsit.
Bangkok FC finally won their first point last week even though they''ll be fuming that they threw away a 3 goal lead at Saraburi. If they get ahead against Songkla, the Iron Bulls will need to show more steel at the back. The other Bangkok (United) surely will beat conquerable Chantaburi despite the curse of the Din Daeng.
Elsehwhere It's Raj Pracha v Krabi and Korat v Siam Navy on Saturday, while on Sunday, Khon Kaen v Phuket and Sriracha v Air Force complete the Division 1 fixtures.


Division 2 BKK
(Saturday)
Globex v Samut Prakarn Utd
Luk Isan v Kasem Bundit
Nontaburi v North Bangkok
Prachinburi FC v Central Lions
Chamchuri v Kasetsart

(Sunday)
Thai Honda v Samut Sakhon
R-BEC v Customs Utd
Assumption Thonburi v Rangsit FC
Krung Thonburi v Bangkok Christian

Chamchuri and Kasetsart will lock horns for the second time in five days. Last Tuesday, it was Kasetsart who left they Chulalongkorn Stadium with smiles on their faces after the beat the hosts 4-2 on penalties in the Toyota League Cup qualifier. Kasetsart will be weary after they suffered a few injuries on the artificial pitch and if Chamchuri have star player Sarawut back in their side, it could be a different outcome on Saturday.
On Sunday, third placed Samut Sakhon travel to Thai Honda who sit one place below them in the table. R-BEC in second, will reacquaint themselves with Customs United.  Last season both these sides were relegated from Division 1, but at this moment in time, it's R-BEC who are adapted better to the regional leagues. Customs are currently languishing in 14th position.

No comments:

Post a Comment