Div 2 Playoffs - Round 9 Preview

Group A 

(Saturday)

Rayong United v Paknampo NSRU
Ayutthaya v Pattani
Phitsanulok v Roi Et Utd

A win for Roi Et Utd at Phitsanulok would be enough for the Esan club to secure promotion to the first division alongside Ayutthaya. Roi Et are unbeaten in six although they have drawn half of those games. Their weekend opponents Phitsanulok have won their last two home games 1-0 but their woeful away form has been their undoing.
Pattani in third travel to champions Ayutthaya who'll be in a party mood after sealing their elevation out of the regional leagues last week. Pattani have never really been serious promotion contenders yet a win yoked together with a Roi Et defeat would move them level on points with the White Squirrels.
The other fixture between Rayong Utd and NSRU has little riding on it other than pride.

Group B 

(Sunday)

Rayong FC v Trat
Sisaket Utd v Trang
Chiang Mai FC v Thai Honda

The three sides chasing Trat for that second valuable promotion place all have home games in the penultimate round of fixtures. Rayong FC and Sisaket have been stuttering lately and the momentum certainly appears to be with Chiang Mai at this moment. The Lanna Tigers are six unbeaten after losing their opening two matches although it should be noted that they've failed to win any of their four previous home games with three draws and one loss so far. The CM faithful will be hoping that the visit of Thai Honda gives them their first home success of the playoffs.
Rayong FC are currently level on 12 points with Chiang Mai FC. If the duelling duo finish level on points after Round 10, Rayong would prevail as they can boast a superior head-to-head record. The Wild Horses welcome Trat this Sunday and they'll be hoping that Division 1 bound club take their foot off the gas now that promotion is in the bag. With only one win in the last six, a win for Rayong looks unlikely.
Sisaket Utd have lost their last two games 2-0 and need to bounce back when they welcome Trang. The Esan club are one point behind Rayong and CM and anything other than three points against Trang would surely end their promotion bid.