TPL
SaturdayBangkok Glass v Pattaya Utd
Buriram Utd v BEC Tero
Chiang Rai Utd v Osotspa Saraburi
Muangthong Utd v TOT
Police Utd v Samut Songkhram
Sisaket P-P Chonburi
Sunday
Chainat v Ratchaburi
Songkhla Utd v Army Utd
Suphanburi v Bangkok Utd
Buriram will rotate their starting 11 accordingly with preparation in mind for their second leg of AFC Champions League quarter final against Esteghlal next Wednesday. The depth of their squad has kept them alive on four fronts this season and even if they rest several first team regulars, I'd still expect them to take care of BEC Tero at the I-Mobile Stadium.
Likewise I can't see anything other than a home victory when Muangthong host TOT on Saturday. Geographically it is a derby, but in the eyes of the Muangthong fans, it's just another fixture. TOT halted their eight game losing slump last weekend when they drew 0-0 at home to Samut Songkhram.
The other Saturday matches see Bangkok Glass welcoming a Pattaya side that has won their last three games. Police United have scored 11 goals in their last four matches and they'll be odds on favourites to beat Samut Songkhram at the Thammasart Stadium. Chiang Rai United are four points from safety and they desperately need three points from their home contest with Osotspa Saraburi.
On Sunday, Suphanburi will be looking for their first win in six as they entertain Bangkok United. Last month Suphan were challenging Chonburi for third place. After a recent poor run, they War Elephants are battling not to be swept out of the top 6.
Ratchaburi's last four matches have only produced two goals and they have become a bit of a turn off for the neutral fan recently. The Dragons are still not over the finishing line and they travel to Chainat seeking points to move themselves closer to safety.
Songkhla haven't won for seven matches and their first leg form is what's keeping them out of a relegation dogfight. Their opponents Army United are unbeaten in their last four away trips and they'll fancy their chances of extending that sequence to five.
Division 1
SaturdayRayong FC v Phuket
Saraburi v Air Force
Siam Navy v Nakhon Ratchasima
Singh Tarua v Krabi
Sriracha v Bangkok FC
Sunday
BBCU v TTM
Khon Kaen v PTT Rayong
Rayong Utd v Nakhon Pathom Utd
Trat v Ayutthaya
After last week's 3-1 victory over PTT Rayong, it's almost safe to say that Air Force will be in the TPL next season. That leaves two from PTT Rayong, Singh Tarua and Bangkok FC to join them in the top flight. Singh Tarua are the only side with a home fixture and they'll be expected to take care of Krabi. PTT Rayong have lost their last two matches and they won't be feeling overly confident as they make they journey up to the north-east of Thailand to Khon Kaen. Bangkok FC were stunned last Sunday when they lost to TTM in their own backyard. The Iron Bulls travel to Sriracha to face a Blue Marlins side that has been blowing hot and cold recently. Air Force will remain top of the pile regardless of what happens in their match in Saraburi.
The relegation scrap took a bizarre twist last weekend with the bottom four sides all winning. The two Rayong clubs will believe that they can collect another three points from their matches at the Rayong Provincial Stadium this weekend. First up, Rayong FC welcome Phuket who were smashed 5-1 at Sriracha in their last game. Twenty-four hours later Rayong United hope to earn their third successive win when they host Nakhon Pathom United.
Since the start of the second leg, Trat have been averaging one point a game and Ayutthaya might take that from their trip to the east coast. The Ancient Warriors have a kind run-in so a draw in Trat wouldn't be a disaster. Elsewhere Siam Navy welcome Korat while TTM travel to BBCU.
If, Chiang Rai Utd manages to win at home, it would add some more spice to the relegation battle down the stretch. Seeing that all fellow battlers, playing away to reasonable difficult tie.
ReplyDeleteBEC Tero's up and down form comes at a good time for Buriram who should get a win.
The TOT fixture is normally a tough match for Muangthong despite not losing in the last 9 meeting in the TPL. But, the last five matches place against each other have been victory of one goal margin. Not to forget that TOT last season was one of only 2 teams to have beaten Muangthong.
Last 5 Meetings:
2012-04-08 TPL 2012 Muang Thong United 2 - 1 TOT
2012-09-05 TLC 2012 Muang Thong United 1 - 2 TOT
2012-09-11 TLC 2012 TOT 2 - 2 Muang Thong United
2012-10-10 TPL 2012 TOT 1 - 1 Muang Thong United
2013-05-18 TPL 2013 TOT 1 - 2 Muang Thong United
I watched TOT in the first half of the season and they looked solid if unspectacular. However in leg 2, they are awful and they are really missing some key players. They have no decent strikers and scoring goals has become a major problem. If Muangthong score early, I can see them scoring 4 or 5 against TOT today.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad what's happened at Chiang Rai Utd. There seems to be internal problems and morale amongst the players is low. I hope they can stay up as the TPL needs a club form the north. CRU are lucky that only one team goes down. They might be able to catch Samut Songkhram or TOT. Had it been 3 sides demoted, then I wouldn't feel so hopeful.