Thursday, March 13, 2014

Matchday 3 Preview

TPL

Saturday
(18:00)
BEC Tero v Buriram Utd
Chainat v Sisaket
Suphanburi v Bangkok Glass
(19:00)
Chonburi v Ratchaburi
Muangthong Utd v Police
(20:00)
Army v TOT

Sunday
(18:00)
Osotspa v Bangkok Utd
(19:00)
Samut Songkhram v PTT Rayong
Singh Tarua v Chiang Rai Utd
(20:00)
Air Force v Songkhla Utd

It's been a contrasting start to the season for Suphanburi and Bangkok Glass. After two played, both sides have 100% records of a differing nature. BG have won their opening fixtures without conceding a goal while Suphanburi have shipped six goals and are currently ranked 20th on the table. I suspect Suphanburi will eventually prevail from this dreadful start but they might have to wait until after Matchday 3.

The other TPL side with "nil pois" is Bangkok United. They'll have been disappointed to have lost at home to Sisaket last weekend as will their opponents Osotspa who lost 1-0 to Singh Tarua. The game will be hosted at the Rajamangala yet again while Osotspa upgrade their Saraburi home.

Also switching venues on Sunday are Samut Songkhram. Their match against PTT Rayong will take place at the Ratchaburi Provincial Stadium.

Five out of the six previous meetings between Singh Tarua and Chiang Rai Utd have ended in draws so marking an "x" on your coupon for this one wouldn't be a bad idea. After a 5-1 humiliation at Police last weekend, Air Force need to bounce back with a home win over Songkhla.

There are six matches on Saturday after Suphanburi and Bangkok Glass was brought forward 24 hours. Buriram were supposed to host BEC Tero but this has been switched to Minburi. I can only assume that this has been done to allow Buriram quicker access to Suvarnabhumi Airport before they fly out to Japan for their Tuesday evening match with Cerezo Osaka.

Muangthong top the league courtesy of goal difference over Bangkok Glass. Their first two results over Chainat and TOT have been pleasing but their performances still remain unconvincing. Mario and Teerasil continue to be MTU's top players as new signings are failing to make any impact at this moment in time.

Chonburi host an improving Ratchaburi while Chainat will be aiming for their second home win of the week when Sisaket come to the Khao Plong. Last Sunday, ten man Chainat beat Army 2-0 much to the frustration of the Army supporters. Failure to collect three points at home to TOT will not go down well with the Boys in Green. They will though be encouraged that Army have won the last five meetings between the pair.

Division 1

Saturday
(16:00)
Roi Et Utd v Krabi
(18:00)
Ang Thong v Pattaya Utd
Ayutthaya v Bangkok FC

Sunday
(16:00)
Saraburi v Khon Kaen
(18:00)
Phitsanulok v BBCU
Siam Navy v Sriracha
Trat v Nakhon Pathom Utd
(18:30)
Nakhon Ratchasima v Chiang Rai Utd
Phuket v TTM

There are three teams in division 1 that have amassed a maximum of six points. They are Saraburi, TTM and Nakhon Ratchasima. Saraburi's goal average sees them top the pile and they'll be expected to make it three straight wins after the visit of Khon Kaen. Korat have won both their games 1-0 and they welcome Chiang Mai who only conceded their first goal of the season in injury time last weekend. Statistics indicate this will be a low scoring affair!! TTM were not considered promotion candidates before the season kicked off, but a win on Sunday in Phuket would certainly throw them into the reckoning.

Four teams are pointless. Krabi, Trat and the Chonburi siblings, Pattaya and Sriracha, have yet to get off the mark. The shuffling between Pattaya and Sriracha during the close season angered both sets of fans and if early season form continues, I expect there will be more amendments before the season is out. Pattaya have a tough trip to Ang Thong while Sriracha make the shortish trip down the coast to Siam Navy. Krabi and Trat finished mid-table last season and after their first two matches, this appears to be the best they'll achieve in 2014. Krabi make the long journey up to Roi Et hoping to break their duck while the visit of Nakhon Pathom is awaiting Trat.

The other games are Ayutthaya v Bangkok and Phitsanulok v BBCU. The latter contest will be played in Phichit.

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