Weekend Preview 23/24 November

League Cup Final

Ratchaburi v Buriram Utd (Saturday 17:45)

The Thammasart Stadium hosts a rerun of last year's league cup final. The showpiece in 2012 was a non-event as a spectacle with Buriram cruising to a 4-1 victory against a Ratchaburi side that had no listed substitutes on their bench. Ratchaburi were down to their bare bones because they had eight Buriram loanees on their books who were ineligible for the final.
This time, the Dragons should have a full compliment to select from. Nevertheless, on current form it's hard to foresee them lifting the trophy and Buriram are strongly fancied to retain the cup for a third successive season. Another win for Buriram would earn their second treble in three years and it would clinch their eighth domestic trophy from the last nine available.
The Thunder Castle have yet to face TPL opposition in the tournament this year seeing off Luk Esan, Kalasin, Siam Navy, Udon Thani and Rayong FC on route to the final.
Ratchaburi started their trail at Prachinburi before edging out Lamphun Warrior. The Dragons then smashed seven goals against Khon Kaen to reach the quarter finals where they disposed of the much fancied Chonburi. In the semi finals, Ratchaburi were rather fortunate to squeeze past Nakhon Ratchasima on away goals.

Division 2 Playoffs

Group A - Saturday

Kasetsart v Roi Et Utd
Luk Esan v Phisanulok (Sunday)
Nara Utd v Prachuap

Roi Et will secure promotion if they are successful at Kasetsart on Saturday while Phitsanulok could also claim a first division spot if they win at Luk Esan and Naru Utd fail to beat Prachuap.

Group B - Sunday

Chiang Mai v Ang Thong
Nakhon Nayok v Udon Thani
Sukhothai v Paknampo NSRU

With five points separating the top 5, there is still plenty to play for with three rounds of fixtures remaining. Chiang Mai have stumbled on the road in their last two games but they'll expect to get back to winning ways when they host Ang Thong. Three points for the Lanna Tigers would leave them on the brink of promotion. However, a loss would allow Ang Thong to join Chiang Mai on 14 points.
Udon Thani have lost all of their four away matches but they need to end that sequence by winning at bottom placed Nakhon Nayok.
Sukhothai haven't won in their last five attempts yet a win over Paknampo NSRU could see them jump back into the top 2 provided other results work in their favour. NSRU currently sit in second spot after two recent home wins.