Matchday 18 Preview

TPL

Saturday
Army Utd v Muangthong Utd
Chainat P-P Sisaket
Pattaya Utd v Samut Songkhram
Ratchaburi v Osotspa Saraburi

Sunday
Bangkok Glass v Songkhla Utd
Bangkok Utd v Police Utd
Chonburi v BEC Tero
Suphanburi v Buriram Utd
TOT v Chiang Rai Utd

This weekend marks the beginning of Leg 2 with all the opening day fixtures being reversed. Teams are now allowed to field their new signings and several new recruits are set to make their debuts this weekend.

The sides in relegation danger have been the most active with Bangkok United and Samut Songkhram currently the busiest two players in the transfer market. The Bangkok Angels splashed the cash buying Thai-American Anthony Ampaipitakwong from Buriram while the experienced trio of Nattaporn, Yai Nilwong and Thritti have been brought in too. Samut Songkhram have pinched a couple of players from the dormant Sisaket and Jo 5 Yards has joined on loan from BEC Tero with Gilbert Koomson returning in the opposite direction to Minburi.

Bottom placed Pattaya have already had a mini clearout to make way for incoming players (and possibly coach Jadet) from Songkhla United. Kriangkhai is the most notable arrival from the south, but it could be too little too late.

Leaders Buriram United have loaned out fringe players Juan Quero to Chonburi and Denis Buschening to BEC Tero with Jesus Berrocal and Bruno Herrero coming in to add to the Spanish contingent at the Thunder Castle.

Muangthong have recalled Chainarong from Army United while Napat has been transferred to Suphanburi. Weera has been sent back to TOT as Kawin is almost fully fit again, and Adnan Barakat has joined Army United. Roland Linz has also been made surplus to requirements and has been told to find a new club.

Other notable deals include Chakrit from Police to Chonburi, Aron da Silva joining Army from Songkhla while Police and Ratchaburi have both made duel signings from abroad. The Dragons have snapped up Columbian striker John Obregon, and José Luis Cordero has arrived from Deportivo Saprissa. Meanwhile, Police United have added experienced Frenchman Michaël Murcy along with Brazilian Pedro Enrique Dos Santos Calcado or "Pedrinho" for short. Promising youngster Pinyo Inpinit has made the step-up from youth side Luk Esan to parent club Police United.

Division 1

Saturday
Phuket v BBCU
Rayong Utd v Sriracha
Saraburi v Siam Navy
Singh Tarua v Ayutthaya
Trat v Khon Kaen

Sunday
Air Force v Rayong FC
Bangkok FC v Nakhon Ratchasima
Nakhon Pathom Utd v Krabi
TTM v PTT Rayong

In Division 1, it's the teams bidding to reach the TPL that have made most movements in the window. PTT Rayong and Phuket have already added at least half a dozen players to their squads. Miroslav Toth will team up again with fellow Slovak and former TOT teammate Josef Tirer at PTT Rayong. Phuket meanwhile, are rumoured to have captured Ludovik Takam from Police United after he knocked back a move to Nakhon Ratchasima stating that he wanted to stay in the TPL!

Air Force have brought in reinforcements with the most interesting capture being the broody David le Bras from Rayong United. Valci Junior's move back to the TPL never materialized and he's joined another club (Krabi) in Division 1 relegation danger. The exodus from Rayong United suggests that they are about to throw the towel in on maintaining their first division status.

Singh Tarua, Bangkok FC and Nakhon Ratchasima have made a couple of signings, yet none of them are worth raving about. I'm a bit surprised that Bangkok and Singh Tarua haven't made more moves in the transfer market considering they both have four home games on the spin to kick off Leg 2. This is the time for both clubs to make their move to ensure they can grab that vital third promotion spot.