Chonburi vs Bangkok United

IPE Chonburi Campus Stadium sets the stage for Chonburi’s ominous-looking encounter against Thai League 1 pacesetters Bangkok United.

Last season’s 6th-place finish looks eons old from Chonburi’s current point of view as they commence this round second from bottom, albeit only three points adrift of safety. Scoring twice before halftime at least helped ‘Pero’s Team’ beat Muang Thong United 2-1 at home last time out, halting a disastrous five-game winless league run! Despite that success, the home setting hasn’t always been an advantage for Nutthawut Vijitwetchakarn’s side this season, as witnessed by their unimpressive six-game league form at the IPE Chonburi Campus Stadium (W2, D1, L3) and an equally disturbing scoring ratio of only 0.66 goals per game. If it’s any consolation, Chonburi had gone unbeaten in three consecutive top-flight H2Hs at home (W2, D1) before falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat in this corresponding fixture last term.

While their hosts enter this round in agony, visiting Bangkok United can’t be more confident after moving four points clear at the Thai League 1’s summit with two games in hand on second-placed Port. Bangkok’s pursuit of their first top-tier title since 2006 took a slight knock last time out as a stoppage-time equalizer helped them draw 1-1 at home against Police Tero. However, the visitors have been impeccable on their top-flight travels this season, winning all five matches on the road via an aggregate score of 11-2. Delivering action from the get-go, the ‘Bangkok Angels’ have broken the deadlock on each occasion, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start. But there’s no reason to panic even if they concede first, as they’ve won points from losing positions in all three such league games this term (W2, D1).