Buriram United vs Nong Bua Pitchaya

Chang Arena plays host to an enthralling Thai FA Cup quarter-final tie between Buriram United and Nong Bua Pitchaya.

Overwhelming pre-match favourites to reach the semi-finals, Buriram United eased past fellow Thai League 1 rivals Chiangrai United 4-1 in the previous Thai FA Cup round to set up this quarter-final tie. Since that success, the ‘Thunder Castle’ have racked up four victories from their subsequent six outings across all competitions (D1, L1), including a hard-fought 1-0 top-flight win away to Samut Prakan City at the weekend. At home, Masatada Ishii’s men have secured five triumphs in their last six competitive fixtures (L1), four of which yielded at least a three-goal margin. Additionally, Buriram have notably registered six clean sheets across their previous nine competitive home games, including a scoreless league draw with Nong Bua Pitchaya back in November.

Meanwhile, Nong Bua Pitchaya have found their Thai FA Cup campaign a stroll so far, crashing lower-league side Kasem Bundit 4-1 in the last-16 before a forfeit win over Lamphun Warrior last time out. But coming into this fixture, they have failed to get on the scoresheet in back-to-back competitive matches, including a 2-0 League Cup elimination at the hands of Uthai Thani. Excluding walkovers, the ‘Gamecocks’ have only won one of their 11 away matches in all competitions this season (D6, L4), going winless in their last three road trips in a row (D2, L1), all of which featured under 2.5 overall goals. Extra time included, the visitors have not kept a clean sheet in six consecutive away fixtures ahead of this travel.