Thursday, July 12, 2012

Weekend Preview 14-15 July & TLC Results

TPL
(Saturday)
Chonburi v Samut Songkhram
BBCU v Chainat

(Sunday)
Buriram Utd v Police
Muangthong v TTM
Wuachon Utd v BEC Tero
Army v Thai Port
Osotspa Saraburi v Bangkok Glass
Esan Utd v TOT

Chonburi will move to within two points of Muangthong this Saturday evening provided the form book follows its script. The Sharks have won five TPL games on the spin and failure to pick up all three points against Samut Songkhram would be seen as a massive body blow. The other Saturday fixture sees struggling BBCU hosting Chainat. As anticipated, BBCU have found life in the TPL difficult since promotion last season while Chainat have adjusted to the higher league slightly better although I'm sure their coaching staff will be disappointed not to have a few more points in the bag.

On Sunday, Muangthong should (on paper, anyway) have their easiest game of the season as they host basement dwellers TTM.You'd expect TTM to "park the bus" in front of their goal but unfortunately for the Chiang Mai side it's extremely doubtful that they'll be able to hang onto a 0-0 for 90 minutes. Buriram United welcome a Police side who have played 75% of their games as away fixtures. It's not surprising that the Crimson Cops are just one place and two points above the prospect doing at least a year's stretch in the first division.

Last weekend Army United and Thai Port both started without any recognized strikers in their line-ups and hence fought out tepid 0-0 draws. It wouldn't surprise me if this one is another low scoring affair. Whilst on the subjects of stalemates, BEC Tero's last two matches have ended goalless and they visit the Fighting Bulls in Songkla who drew 4-4 with Samut Songkhram last Sunday.

Bangkok Glass have lost their three previous trips to Osotspa in the TPL yet Glass will see this fixture as a prime opportunity to end this losing sequence with Osotspa currently in a patchy run of form. Esan have won their last three at home and they'll be expected to beat a TOT side that has only picked up three points out of the last fifteen available.

Division 1
(Saturday)
PTT Rayong v FC Phuket

(Sunday)
Air Force Utd v Songkla
Sriracha v Bangkok Utd

Only three matches this weekend with the most significant one being Sriracha v Bangkok United. This game was switched to Sriracha due to maintenance being completed at the Thai Japanese Stadium. Both sides sit just outside the promotion zone with Sriracha in fifth and Bkk Utd one place higher in fourth. Any slip ups by either club would allow sixth place PTT Rayong the chance to close the gap if the Petroleum Authority can beat FC Phuket.

The other match between Air Force and Songkla will be played at North Bangkok University and not the Airman's regular home at the Thupathemi.

Division 2 BKK
(Saturday)
Krung Thonburi v Chamchuri Utd
Luk Esan v Central Lions
Assumption Thonburi v Samut Sakhon
Nonthaburi v Rangsit FC
Rayong Utd v Customs Utd

(Sunday)
Thai Honda v Bangkok Christian
Kasem Bundit v Globex
R-BEC v North Bangkok
Samut Prakarn Utd v Kasetsart

If Assumption Thonburi v Samut Sakhon had been played in the first leg of the season, it would have been seen as an away banker. However on current form, Assumption will start as favorites as the Proud Junk Ship of Samut Sakhon aim to keep their promotion bid afloat after it has encountered some choppy waters recently.
The top 2 of Rayong United and Thai Honda have home games which they should win while fourth placed Kasetsart have a tricky tie at Samut Prakarn United. R-BEC and North Bangkok remain on the edge of the promotion race with 38 points each and they pair clash at Ladprao 107 this Sunday.

Toyota League Cup - Round 2
Korat 1-2 Muangthong
Kasetsart 1-2 Wuachon (AET)
Samut Prakarn Utd 1-1 FC Phuket (SPK won 4-3 on pens)
Lopburi 0-1 TTM (AET)
Petchaburi 0-4 Chonburi
NSRU 0-4 Chiang Rai Utd
Songkla 2-2 TOT (TOT won 4-3 on pens)
Customs 1-1 Krabi (Customs won 4-3 on pens)
Pattalung 2-4 Bangkok Glass
Pattani 2-1 Osotspa
Suphanburi 2-0 Samut Songkhram
Khon Kaen 0-2 Thai Port
Lamphun Warriors 1-2 BEC Tero
Hat Yai 0-1 Buriram Utd
Trat 2-3 Ratchaburi
Air Force 1-3 Pattaya

Pattani produced the biggest upset of the round as they beat TPL's Osotspa 2-1. Also notable mentions must go to Customs and Samut Prakarn United of the regional leagues who also advanced into the last 16 with penalty wins over Division 1 opponents.  Suphanburi of the first division knocked out Samut Songkhram of the TPL with a 2-0 victory, but you could hardly call this one an upset.

The heavyweight trio of MTU, Buriram and Chonburi all progressed as did local sides BEC Tero, Thai Port, Bangkok Glass and TOT.

No comments:

Post a Comment