Matchday 2 Preview

TPL

Saturday

(18:00)

PTT Rayong v Chiang Rai Utd

TOT v Muangthong

(19:00)

Buriram Utd v Ratchaburi

Songkhla Utd v Chonburi

(20:00)

Bangkok Utd v Sisaket

Sunday

(18:00)

Chianat v Army Utd

Osotspa Saraburi v Singh Tarua

(19:00)

Bangkok Glass v Samut Songkhram

BEC Tero v Suphanburi 

(20:00)

Police v Air Force

The transfer window has closed and a few late additions to the TPL could make their debuts this weekend. The Singh Tarua fans that I’ve spoken to are particularly excited about the arrival of new boy Thierry Fidjeu. They’ll be hoping to see the Equatoguinean striker at some point on Sunday when they visit the Rajamangala Stadium. The Osotspa v Tarua game takes place at the national stadium due to the current upgrading of the floodlights at the Saraburi Provincial stadium.

Army United fans were pretty pleased when their club failed to iron out terms with Rohan Ricketts. The former Tottenham Hotspur man didn’t impress in pre-season friendlies and has since signed on at PTT Rayong. The Boys in Green made three late additions to their 2014 squad with Juji Funayama, Zdenko Kapralik and Raphael Botti joining. It’ll be interesting to see which foreigners Matt Elliott will select for the Chainat match on Sunday.

After bowing out of AFC qualification, Muangthong added 6ft 4in Australian midfielder Erik Paartalu while Chonburi acquired the service of the much travelled front man Jaime Braganca.

Cleiton Silva’s departure left BEC Tero in a quandary and consequently the Fire Dragons purchased three strikers with international experience to fill the gap vacated by their marksman. The smallest of the trio is 6ft Nigerian born Sudanese striker Collins Kelechi Osunwa. He was twice capped by Nigeria a decade ago while 6ft 3in Ariza Makukula earned double that total of caps for Portugal back in the 2007-08 season. The most capped and tallest of the trio is 6ft 4in Georgie Welcome. The beanpole striker played at the 2010 World Cup finals for Honduras and he can currently boast a total of 31 appearances for his country. He has also played for Monaco which is a far cry from the life he’ll experience in the backwoods of Minburi. Tero will be hoping to net their first TPL goal of the season when Suphanburi come to 72 Anniversary Stadium on Sunday.

Many of the facts above come from Wikipedia so there is a good chance that the information I've supplied you with is complete bollocks. 

Again, please note the new kick-off times. The spread of the starts allows more viewing for the armchair spectators amongst us.

Division 1

Saturday

(16:00)

Ang Thong v Phuket

Pattaya Utd v Ayutthaya

(18:00)

Chiang Mai v Nakhon Pathom Utd

Krabi v Saraburi

Sunday

(16:00)

TTM Customs v Siam Navy
Sriracha v Roi Et Utd 

(17:00)

Bangkok FC v Phitsanulok

(18:00)

BBCU v Trat

Khon Kaen v Nakhon Ratchasima

For those of you craving early statistics, it’s top travelling to bottom with Krabi hosting Saraburi on Saturday. A handsome victory would see the Andaman Eagles turn the tables and move above Saraburi in the league standings. 

Chiang Mai will want to erase last week’s cup humiliation at Chiang Rai City when they host Nakhon Pathom United. Both sides won their opening fixtures as did Phuket who will be Ang Thong’s first guests at their new first division home. Pattaya City’s first home match since relegation has them welcoming Ayutthaya.

The Sunday games have three sides making their first public appearances at new venues. The TTM rolling bandwagon has planted itself at Lat Krabang 54 for the forthcoming future. The Tobacco Monopoly has joined up with Customs FC and I don’t expect any more than a few dozen spectators will follow them. The same could be said for Sriracha (Chonburi youth squad) who will play at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi. BBCU have moved to Rama 9 Commemoration Stadium in Nonthaburi. They’ll be cheered on yet again by their pink clad choreographed dancers but it’s unlikely their crowds will breach four figures unless a large travelling away support is in town.

Whilst on the subject of large travelling away supports, Nakhon Ratchasima are expected to take 3,000 supporters for their trip to neighboring province Khon Kaen while former Swatcat coach, Reuther Moreira, takes his new side Phitsanulok to his previous side Bangkok FC. I’m sure the Brazilian will receive a warm welcome in Bang Mot.