Weekend Preview 12-13 May

TPL
(Saturday)
BEC Tero v Bangkok Glass
Samut Songkhram v Chainat
TTM v TOT
Police Utd v BBCU
Chiang Rai Utd v Isan Utd

(Sunday)
Pattaya Utd v Osotspa
Muangthong v Army Utd
Chonburi v Wuachon Utd

It's a case of like for like this weekend with some interesting meetings at the top and the bottom of the TPL. The pick of the round has to be BEC Tero v Bangkok Glass. After BEC Tero lost their first two matches, there was some ridiculous rumours circulating in the Thai press that Rene Desaeyere would come into replace new coach, Andrew Ord. Thankfully the young Englishman was given time as he's now guided his side to five wins on the spin. The Fire Dragons have won both their home games this season while Glass have drawn both of their away ones. It will most likely be a full house at the Thephasadin, so get along early if you want a ticket.
Current leaders Muangthong United host their bogey team, Army United, on Sunday evening. The Nonthaburi side have never beaten Army in a TPL match with two draws and two loses so far. Army have had an indifferent start but have shown in recent games against Chonburi and Buriram that they can mix it with the big boys.
Chonburi in sixth against Wuachon in fifth is another game that will be followed with interest. The Sharks have won their three home games scoring 12 in the process. Wuachon are unbeaten in seven and last Monday they earned an impressive point at Buriram United.
Further down the road, it's a mid-table battle between Pattaya and Osotspa. The Saraburi side have fallen down to 11th after losing their last three matches.
The other four games all involve teams at the wrong end of the table. The Big Bang will return to last season's home at the Army Stadium to face homeless Police United. Chiang Rai United could have been excused for not picking up many points early on in the campaign against difficult opponents, but they'll be worried that their poor form has continued lately against beatable opposition. Isan United certainly fit into the latter category and three points for Chiang Rai Utd this time would move them out of the danger zone.
TTM and TOT both won 1-0 last weekend and another low scoring match seems likely. Samut Songkhram and Chainat have both hit troubled times after promising starts. The Crazy Mackerels have slumped to the foot of the league while Chainat have only won one game out of seven.


Division 1
(Saturday)
Korat v JW Rangsit
Bangkok Utd v Songkla
Khon Kaen v PTT Rayong
Suphanburi v Krabi
Saraburi v Chantaburi

(Sunday)
Pattalung v FC Phuket
Air Force v Ratchaburi
Bangkok FC v Raj Pracha
Sriracha v Siam Navy

Suphanburi have banged in eight goals in their last two 1st Division games to move up to fourth in the table. On Saturday they face their biggest test of the season when they welcome league leaders Krabi to the Suphanburi Provincial Stadium. Sriracha and Ratchaburi are sandwiched in between the pair in second and third place. Sriracha will start as strong favorites to beat a sinking Siam Navy side and Ratchaburi might find it difficult to break out of their three game streak of 1-1 draws at Air Force. The Airmen are unbeaten in three and have kept three clean sheets in the process.
After collecting a solitary point in first 8 games, Chantaburi's coach optimistically wants 15 points in the remainder of Leg 1 to stay safe from drop. Three points at Saraburi would certainly help his cause but realistically his team are on the fast track to second division football next season.
Another side in big trouble are FC Phuket. This week they set up the "Save FC Phuket" campaign in a bid to solve ongoing problems. After a relatively bright start, the southern side have only picked up 2 points from the last 15 available and have slipped into the relegation zone. They have a shortish trip by their standards as they travel to Pattalung this Sunday.

Division 2 Bangkok
(Friday)
Rangsit FC v Chamchuri Utd

(Saturday)
Kasem Bundit v Thai Honda
Luk Esan v Assumption Thonburi
R-BEC v Samut Prakarn Utd
Nonthaburi v Krung Thonburi

(Sunday)
Customs v Kasetsart
Bangkok Christian v Samut Sakhon
Globex v Rayong Utd
North Bangkok v Central Lions

Bangkok Christian still haven't won this season and with the visit of leaders Samut Sakhon, there are no suggestions that this unwanted record will be terminated this weekend. Second placed Thai Honda have a slightly more difficult task at Kasem Bundit while R-BEC will be glad to get back to their Rattana Bundit home after a couple of trips on the road. Rayong United should be able to get 3 points at Globex and Kasetsart will be aiming for another win to continue climbing the table.