Matchday 27 Preview

TPL

Saturday
Bangkok Utd v Osotspa Saraburi
Muangthong Utd v Chonburi
Pattaya v BEC Tero
Ratchaburi v Army Utd

Sunday
Bangkok Glass v Chiang Rai Utd
Chainat v Buriram Utd
Sisaket P-P Songkhla Utd
Suphanburi v Police Utd
TOT v Samut Songkhram

The Muangthong Utd v Chonburi clash has rather predictably been overhyped in the build up this week and has been billed as "Super Big Match Super Big Day." On Muangthong's "Road to Glory" campaign, apparently "this is the match we are waiting for."
In reality, Chonburi have underachieved this season and it's basically been a two horse title race between Buriram and MTU since the start.
Muanghthong are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Chonburi and their last defeat to the Sharks came on Xmas Day 2011. Internet sources indicate that this match has already been sold-out.

Leaders Buriram United travel to Chainat hoping to maintain their 100% winning TPL record over the Hornbills. They'll have to do it without head coach Scott Cooper who left his post last weekend for personal reasons. Spaniard Guillermo Oriol Gil is the latest man in the dug-out.
For Chainat, they'll be hoping Mbengono Yannick's impressive form continues after his arrival from Hungarian side Debreceni VSC in the mid-season transfer window. The Cameroonian has netted six times already since joining the Pink Rangers.

Chiang Rai Utd remain in the solitary relegation spot after their match at Samut Songkhram was abandoned last Saturday. With CRU leading 1-0, the home fans took exception to the performance of the referee and the match was stopped after crowd trouble erupted. The decision by the TPL to play out the last quarter of the match at a neutral venue in Bangkok wasn't a satisfactory verdict for the Fighting Beetles.There are rumours that they might not show up for the rescheduled match.
Nonetheless, Chaing Rai have a tough trip to Bangkok Glass this weekend while Samut Songkhram have a winnable match at TOT. The Telephone Boys have 24 points and probably need another two wins to guarantee survival. At this moment in time, I can't see them achieving this and they may need to look to the misfortune of others to help them stumble over the safety line.
Pattaya have been playing well lately although they haven't collected as many points as they possibly should have. BEC Tero visit Nong Prue this Saturday while Army make the trip to Ratchaburi. The Dragons are still too close to the drop zone for comfort and need a couple more wins to secure survival.
Bangkok United are almost home and dry and a win over Osotspa Saraburi would move them onto 29 points. 
Police United currently sit on 30 points and they travel to an injury hit Suphanburi who haven't found they net in almost 400 minutes of league football.

 

Division 1

Saturday
Air Force v PTT Rayong
Nakhon Pathom Utd v Nakhon Ratchasima
Rayong Utd v Khon Kaen 
Singh Tarua v Saraburi
Sriracha v Phuket

Sunday
Ayutthaya v Krabi
Bangkok FC v TTM
BBCU v Siam Navy
Trat v Rayong FC

It's first versus second as Air Force host PTT Rayong. Air Force are unbeaten at home while PTT have yet to lose on the road. The reverse fixture ended 0-0 in Rayong and another low scoring match is expected.

The visit of TTM to Bangkok FC should see the Iron Bulls maintain their three point advantage over fourth placed Singh Tarua. The Port Lions slipped up last week at Rayong FC but they'll be glad to be back on home turf. Tarua aim to rack up their seventh successive home win as Saraburi drop in at the PAT Stadium. Fifth placed Nakhon Ratchasima have a tough trip to Nakhon Pathom and need to keep on winning and hope that the two sides above them slip up. They'll be without Noah Chivuta as he is on international duty with Zambia.

As with the TPL, the Division 1 safety target is probably around 30 points. The two Rayongs would be dead and buried had reconstruction not came to their potential rescue. Rayong FC have four points to make up on third bottom Ayuthaya while Rayong Utd have six. The Elephant Warriors (Rayong Utd) entertain the T-Rex (Khon Kaen) while the Ancient Warriors (Ayutthaya) welcome the Andaman Eagles (Krabi). The Wild Horses (Rayong FC) make a rare journey east to face the White Elephants (Trat).