Matchday 15 Preview

TPL

Saturday
Army v Samut Songkhram
BEC Tero v Osotspa Saraburi
Chonburi v Police Utd
Suphanburi v Chainat

Sunday
Bangkok Glass v Muangthong Utd
Bangkok Utd v Songkhla Utd
Pattaya Utd v Buriram Utd
Ratchaburi v Chiang Rai Utd
TOT P-P Sisaket

Winnie Schafer takes the helm at Muangthong United for the first time after the departure of Slavisa Jokanovic. The German has watched an abundance of TPL games in the last two years and he'll be familiar with the habits of several of the Thai players that played for the national team. After witnessing Wednesday's League Cup exit at Nakhon Ratchasima, Schafer will know he has a tough job trying to stop the Buriram juggernaut from grabbing the TPL crown.
Two months ago a trip to Bangkok Glass wouldn't have posed much worry for all at Muangthong. However, after the appointment of Attaphol, Bangkok Glass have turned their season around and are currently in the top half of the table and unbeaten in five.

Leaders Buriram should have too much for Pattaya provided they don't get complacent while the chasing trio of BEC Tero, Chonburi, and Suphanburi, all have home matches on Saturday that look winnable.

Rumours of Sisaket's demise will have the clubs at the bottom feeling even more anxious now. Samut Songkhram have yet to win away from Mae Khlong and they travel to Army United who have been spluttering along lately. Ratchaburi would have been buoyed after netting seven times against Khon Kaen in midweek and the visit of Chiang Rai will be regarded as a must for three points. News today has indicated that Stefano “Teco’ Cugurra has been relieved of his coaching duties at Chiang Rai. The northern club are apparently seeking a European to replace the departed Brazilian.

Songkhla United have sneaked under the radar into sixth place, but losing at regional league Udon Thani in the cup midweek would have come as a bitter disappointment. Bangkok United will hope to inflict more misery on Songkhla when they meet at the Thai Japanese on Sunday.

Division 1

Saturday
Ayutthaya v Sriracha
Nakhon Pathom Utd v Khon Kaen
Nakhon Ratchasima v Krabi
Saraburi v Rayong Utd
TTM v Singh Tarua

Sunday
Bangkok FC v Rayong FC
Phuket v PTT Rayong
Siam Navy v Air Force
Trat v BBCU

With the exception of Trat, it's been a tough start in Division 1 for the four promoted clubs from the regional leagues. Rayong FC and Rayong United currently occupy the two bottom spots while Ayutthaya only poked their head out from the relegation mire for the first time after their 3-0 win at BBCU last Sunday. With a home fixture against struggling Sriracha, the Ancient Warriors have a great chance to put some distance between themselves and danger.

Rayong United have plummeted to the foot of the league after a promising start. From the last 27 points available, they've collected only two despite the goals of Valci Junior. They won't be expected to collect anything at improving Saraburi, and neither will neighbors Rayong FC who travel into the capital to meet Bangkok FC. The Wild Horses have yet to win away from home although they have drawn four times out of seven on their travels.

Trat have scored in every one of their 14 matches this term, yet at the same time they've still to keep a clean sheet. Their opponents this Sunday, BBCU, have been on a horrendous run with no wins in seven. Their early promotion promise has vanished with the Big Bang now closer to relegation rather than the promotion zone.

Out of the other games, Phuket v PTT Rayong will have the biggest bearing at the top while Singh Tarua and Nakhon Ratchasima will fancy their chances of collecting three points. League leaders Air Force have a tough trip to Siam Navy and another narrow victory could be on the cards.