Prachuap vs Buriram United

Sam Ao Stadium is the venue as Prachuap and Buriram United go head-to-head in contrasting Thai League 1 circumstances.

Though nailed to the bottom of the Thai League 1 standings, Prachuap come into proceedings in high spirits after going from five consecutive league defeats to back-to-back games without losing (W1, D1). With six points separating them from safety, the hosts can’t afford a slip-up to stay within striking distance of 13th-placed Khonkaen United, but it’s easier said than done. Not only have the ‘Killer Wasps’ lost their last four competitive meetings with Buriram, but they failed to get on the scoresheet on three occasions during that stretch. Caretaker manager Dusit Chalermsan must pull a rabbit out of the hat to halt Prachuap’s scoring duck against the reigning champions, considering his men lament the division’s worst scoring record with only 15 goals from 14 matches.

In contrast to Prachuap’s dismal domestic campaign, Buriram’s lofty ambitions remain firmly on track, even though they’re unlikely to defend the title after tumbling nine points below table-topping Bangkok United. Despite only losing once in 13 league outings this season, Buriram’s underwhelming win ratio of 46% has significantly derailed their title hopes midway through the season (W6, D6, L1). The visitors’ patchy form on the road has seen them go winless on their last three Thai League 1 travels (D2, L1) after winning two consecutive away games beforehand. Given Buriram’s indifferent six-game league record on the road (W2, D3, L1), it’s perhaps surprising they’ve yet to concede an opening goal in top-flight away action this season. Considering they’ve won their last five competitive visits to Prachuap ‘to nil,’ that trend is likely to continue.