Matchday 25 Preview

TPL 

Saturday
Bangkok Glass v Chonburi
Sisaket P-P BEC Tero
Suphanburi v Ratchaburi
TOT v Pattaya Utd

Sunday
Buriram Utd v Samut Songkhram
Chainat v Army Utd
Chiang Rai Utd v Police Utd
Muangthong Utd v Bangkok Utd
Songkhla v Osotspa Saraburi

The big news of the week was that the Supreme Administrative Court has allowed Sisaket the right to play in the TPL again. The fact that the club has no players and 31 fixtures left to fulfill between now and the beginning of November makes it highly unlikely they'll resume playing again this season. However, a new can of worms could be opened if Sisaket were demoted to Division 1. The TPL administration will have to tread carefully in making their final decision. Increasing the TPL to 20 clubs could solve potential knock-on lawsuits from Sisaket or any other clubs that feel they've been treated unfairly.

Regardless of what happens, Chiang Rai Utd and Pattaya Utd need to get their fingers out or they'll be in the second tier next season. Police Utd have been playing reasonably well lately, but nothing less than three points should suffice for CRU on Sunday. Pattaya also must take the full compliment at plummeting TOT. The Telephone Boys have lost six on the trot and a seventh would drop them firmly into the relegation picture.

At the top end, new leaders Muangthong should be able to take care of the visiting Bangkok Angels while Buriram ought to have had enough time to get over their gruelling trip to Iran before welcoming Samut Songkhram on Sunday.

Predicting the winner from Bangkok Glass v Chonburi is impossible as the form of the pair fluctuates from week to week.
Suphanburi's squad has been hit by injuries lately and Ratchaburi might see this as a chance for an upset.
For Chainat v Army, see BG v Chonburi from above. Chainat will still have Surachai Japurapattarapong calling the shots from the dugout for the immediate future despite him being named as the new head coach of Thailand's national team.
Struggling Songkhla haven't scored for five matches and have only picked up two points in the process. Osotspa Saraburi will feel confident of returning from the south with three points.

Division 1

Saturday
BBCU v Nakhon Ratchasima
Khon Kaen v Rayong FC
Rayong Utd v Bangkok FC
Saraburi v TTM
Trat v Nakhon Pathom Utd

Sunday
Ayutthaya v Air Force
Siam Navy v Krabi
Singh Tarua v Phuket
Sriracha v PTT Rayong

It's amazing what a difference a couple of weeks can make in football. It was only a fortnight ago that a woeful and inept Sriracha side lost 4-1 at Singh Tarua. Since then, they've ultimately been allowed to include Chonburi loanees Irfan Bachdim and Ivan Boskovic in their squad, and as a consequence Sriracha have picked up seven points in their last three games. They have a big test this weekend when they host leaders PTT Rayong. A win for the Blue Marlins would move them onto 30 points.

Earlier this month, Siam Navy were also in danger of sinking, but two wins have moved them out of danger. They'll fancy their chances of beating mid-table Krabi while a loss for Ayutthaya at home to promotion bound Air Force would leave them in deep trouble. Phil Stubbins has been given the task of saving the club from the drop after Thongchai Sukkokee called it quits.
Khon Kaen are also in the bottom 4 and the visit of Rayong FC needs to be considered as a three point banker. TTM have bought themselves some breathing space and a point at Saraburi would be satisfactory enough. 

In the promotion battle, Singh Tarua will be looking for some more magic from Leandro when Phuket visit the PAT Stadium on Sunday. By this time, Tarua will most likely be playing catch up provided that Bangkok FC have picked up three points at Rayong Utd 24 hours earlier. Nakhon Ratchasima could also be tightly on the Khlong Toei side's heels if they can win at BBCU.