TPL
Sriracha v Osotspa (Sat)
Police v Pattaya (Sat)
BEC Tero v Muangthong (Sat)
Sisaket v Thai Port (Sat)
Army v TTM Phichit (Sun)
Chiang Rai v Bangkok Glass (Sun)
Navy v Buriram PEA (Sun)
Khon Kaen v Chonburi (Sun)
TOT v Samut Songkhram (4 Jan)
The TPL returns to almost its full compliment this weekend. The only two teams not involved are TOT and Samut Songkhram as the Laksi area where the TOT Stadium is situated is still under water. On Saturday, Muangthong's fading title bid takes them to BEC Tero. This game has some extra added spice as several Tero players were surplus to requirements at the Yamaha and were subsequently transferred to the Fire Dragons. Thai Port return to action for the first time in five weeks as they make the long journey into Issan to face Sisaket. The Suphanburi Provincial Stadium will host Police v Pattaya. The Insee faithful will have to make a 200km round trip to watch this home game. Last season this fixture didn't take place at Thammasart either and was played at the Bunyajinda Stadium in Vipavadee 62.
Army United earned a decent point at Muangthong on Tuesday night and will look to build on that as TTM visit the capital. It's been a tough time lately for the fans of Bangkok Glass. This Sunday they have a 24 hour round trip to Chiang Rai to contend with. Last time they met at the Leo, Glass scored two injury time goals to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory.
In the other games not involving Bangkok sides, the three teams occupying the relegation spots welcome teams from the top half of the table.
Division 1
Chantaburi v Suphanburi (Sat)
Saraburi v Phuket (Sat)
Chiang Mai v Bkk Utd (Sat)
Customs v BBCU (Sun)
Thai Honda v JW Rangsit (Sun)
Bangkok FC v RBAC (Sun)
PTT Rayong v Songkla (Sun)
Air Force v Raj Pracha (21 Dec)
Buriram FC v Chainat (30 Dec)
The big game between Buriram FC and Chainat has been rescheduled to 30th December for some unknown reason. That means BBCU could move above Chainat into second spot if they can beat Customs at the Forza Stadium. Defeat for Customs would be costly as the two teams they are sandwiched between in the league table, Bangkok FC and RBAC, clash this weekend. The Bulligans desperately need points and to aid them in this quest, they have allowed free entry for home fans. Another clash which is significant at the bottom of the table is Thai Honda v JW Rangsit. A win for JW would move them onto 33 points, whereas a win for Thai Honda could lift them of the bottom of the league. The Speed Kings will be hoping that Bangkok United can do them a favour up in Chiang Mai.
Division 2 Play-offs
(Group A) (Sat)
Kasetsart v Phitsanoluk
Phichit v Loei City
Pattalung v Ratchaburi
(Group B) (Sun)
North Bkk v Krabi
Roi Et v Rayong
Korat v Lamphun
The top 2 of Group A meet on Saturday in Pattalung. Ratchaburi won the reverse fixture between the pair and another win for the Dragons would take them back to the top of the league. If third placed Loei City can win in Phichit, they would definitely make up ground on the top 2. Failure to collect 3 points could see the end of City's promotion bid. Bottom side Kasetsart will be looking to build on their first win last week when they entertain Phitsanoluk at their Kampeang Saen university campus. A win for the Emerald Nagas could lift them off the foot of the table.
The North Bangkok Magical Mystery Tour continues as they will use the Thephasadin this weekend to host Krabi. It's the Horsemen's 7th game of the campaign and they've played at a different stadium on each occasion. For their previous two home games they used Chula Uni and the IPE Stadium in Chonburi. Nth Bangkok lost both of these games so they'll be hoping to make it third time lucky at the Thephasadin on Sunday. Roi Et desperately need 3 points at home to Rayong to keep any hopes of promotion alive. On the other hand, second placed Rayong would take a point as they'll feel confident of collecting 6 from their next two games at home to North Bangkok and Lamphun. The final game of this round is Korat v Lamphun. Anything other than home win for the Swatcats against the winless Lamphun Warriors would be seen as a massive disappointment.
So...we win and Rayong lose this weekend, puts us 2 points ahead. We draw at Krabi; Rayong beat Nth Bkk and we're level on points but ahead on head-to-head. We win at Nth Bkk and Rayong win at home to Lamphun would leave Rayong needing to better our result on the final day if they're to take our second place. Simple!
ReplyDeleteLuv it!! If only football was played on paper :-)
ReplyDeleteYou could do with Roi Et and North Bangkok doing you a favour this weekend. Krabi's last 3 games certainly aren't easy, so if they don't beat Nth Bkk, they'll be nervously looking over their shoulder.
However the most important thing for you is that Korat beat Lamphun, then you worry about what happens elsewhere. I think you'll win this weekend. I'll go for 2-0 or 2-1 for you.
Suddenly Rayong's home game with North Bangkok doesn't look so winnable: on neutral territory and two first-choice attackers banned.
ReplyDeleteHow about using Korat as the neutral venue? That would be interesting!! Nth Bkk would a few thousand new supporters for the day.
ReplyDeleteCome on you BURIRAM PEA the only team that can still win the treble,we don't just support BURIRAM we love BURIRAM.
ReplyDeleteBuriram PEA are looking good for the treble. They've been the best team in the TPL this season by a long way and will deservedly be champions. Frank and Franck have been great additions to the Thai football scene.
ReplyDelete