Obb Deewajin
Football Tribe Thailand
Surprise title challenger Samut Prakan City somehow threw away a 2-0 lead before losing 5-2 to Ratchaburi FC in midweek. Tetsuya Murayama’s troops now have the chance to bounce back after 2 straight league wins as they welcome struggling Trat FC. The White Elephant have only won six of their last seven league games and will be missing first-choice right-back Suphot Wonghoi to suspension.
Meanwhile, Sea Fang centreback Sarawut Kanlayanabandit and topscorer Ibson Melo are also suspended but the home side’s available collective quality should be enough to get the better over Trat FC.
Looking to catch up with fourth place Samut Prakan City is sixth place Muangthong United, who are set to host Nakhon Ratchasima FC. So far the Kirin has won all of their home games under head coach Alexandre Gama. By contrast, the Swatcats previous league win on the road dates back to early March.
Saturday’s late kickoff is a similar situation, where Chonburi FC, a side getting strong results at home under their new head coach, entertain Sukhothai FC, a side with zero away wins.
Sunday sees Chainat Hornbill FC welcome Chiangmai FC in a winnable and must-win tie for the hosts who wish to stay up this season. Meanwhile, fellow relegation struggler PT Prachuap face third-place Port FC at the Sam Ao Stadium. The Killer Wasps are having a tough time finding the back of the net since losing talisman Herlison Caion to Chonburi FC – netting only four times in their last six outings – and have yet to win a single game in the last half of this season.
Although not the most beautiful to watch, Port FC still managed to collect all six points since Choketawee Promrut replaced Jadet Meelarp at the helm. Sergio Suarez is suspended, so Sumanya Purisai will likely get the chance to play in his preferred central role. Prachuap is generally strong at home while Port is not special on the road, so this could be a tight game.
Bangkok United is another big club who face a difficult away game when they visit a solid Suphanburi FC side whose life is on the line in a tight relegation battle. Almost half (5/11) of the Angels away games ended in a draw this season, and it could be more of the same against s Suphanburi FC that only lost twice and conceded five goals at home this season.
In the late Sunday fixture, Chiangrai United and Buriram United kickoff at the same time; the Beetles face Ratchaburi FC while the Thunder Castle travels to PTT Rayong.
Chiangrai United top the Thai League table following their 4-0 destruction of Buriram United. Ratchaburi FC, although in red hot form, seems to be a little too overzealous in attack, looking to outscore the opposition rather than focusing on game management. This could play perfectly into Ailton Silva’s calculated counter-attacking approach, spearheaded by the in-form trio of Bill Rosimar, William Henrique and Ekkanit Panya.
Supachok Sarachat’s attacking play was Buriram United’s few positives from Wednesday’s lost and the 21-year-old should be starting against the Firepower. Bozidar Bandovic’s men must quickly regroup after their biggest loss in the modern era. The reigning champions outplayed PTT Rayong in the reverse fixture earlier on, but there is a little sign that things could turn out differently this time around.