Toyota League Cup Preview - Round 1

(Saturday)
Kasetsart v Esan United
Trat FC v Bangkok FC
Kalasin FC v Samut Songkhram FC
Prajuap FC v Pattaya United
Sra Kaew City v FC Phuket
Customs United v BBCU
Pichit FC v Songkla
Rayong FC v TTM
RBEC v Bangkok Glass
Siam Navy v Khon Kaen
Lopburi FC v PTT Rayong
Thai Honda v Muang Thong United
Yala FC v Thai Port
Nakon Sri Tammarat v Chonburi
Si Saket United v Osotspa Saraburi
Rachaburi v Chainat FC
Patalung v Police United
Kamphaeng Phet v Chiang Rai United
Paknampo NSRU FC v Army United
Siam Navy v Khon Kaen

(Sunday)
Samut Prakan United v JW Rangsit FC
Lampang FC v BEC Tero Sasana
Sri Racha v Nakon Rachasima FC
Lampun Warrior v Bangkok United
Roi Et United v Buriram United
Chiang Rai FC v Krabi FC
Surin FC v Wuachon United
Udon Thani v Supanburi FC
Hat Yai FC v Rajpracha
Petchaburi FC v Chantaburi FC
Chayapum FC v TOT
Kasembundit University v Air Force United

The big guns join the Toyota League Cup this weekend in the one leg only ties. It's unclear how the clubs of the TPL and Division 1 will approach the competition at this early stage as some might opt to play their strongest 11 whereas others might try-out fringe and youth players.

The two ties which stir the most interest up for me are Ratchaburi v Chainat on Saturday and Roi Et v Buriram United on Sunday. Current cup holders, Buriram United, travel north to Roi Et knowing that they'll be in for a tough contest against the reigning Division 2 NE champions. In saying that though, Buriram are unbeaten for more than a year now on the domestic front and supporters of the Thunder Castle will expect their side to rise to the challenge of the Toyota League Cup once again. Meanwhile, Division 1's Ratchaburi have been scoring goals for fun lately with 16 scored in their last three league matches. The Dragons can also boast the impressive record of penetrating the opposition's net in every game this season. The visit of TPL Chainat should be a good test of Ratchaburi's TPL credentials.

Other sides with an eye on lifting the trophy, Muangthong and Bangkok Glass, were fortunate to draw local opposition with Muangthong driving across the capital to Thai Honda while BG will compete with the Saturday afternoon shopping traffic as they trek along Kanchanaphisek and Ladprao roads to R-BEC. The draw wasn't so kind to R-BEC's big brother, BEC Tero, as they travel up north to Lampang whereas Chonburi make the journey in the reverse direction to Nakhon si Thammarat.

TPL strugglers TTM and Thai Port won't be overly enthusiastic about making long trips to second division opposition. The 2010 winners, Thai Port, make the journey south to the Malaysian border to meet Yala while TTM will be guaranteed a tough match at Rayong FC. Esan United and Osotspa also face potential banana skins. Last season at this stage, Kasetsart defeated a lackluster Osotspa 2-1. This time Kasetsart welcome Esan United and Osotspa have a tricky one against the recently formed Sisaket United.