Suphanburi geared up for Buriram onslaught
Struggling Bangkok United, surprise package Port square off today
>> Leaders Buriram United, boasting one of the most deadliest strikeforces in Thai League 1, tonight go up against Suphanburi, a team which may not have sent shivers down the spine of their foes but have conceded the fewest goals this season.
Buriram have been perched on top of the table, thanks to the scoring prowess of their Brazilian forward Diogo Luis Santo, who has netted 11 goals in eight league matches so far.
The defending champions have amassed 22 points and sit six points ahead of PT Prachuap, Port and Sukhothai, who share second spot.
Suphanburi have not been as spectacular as the Thunder Castle, but they are spotted in a respectable joint-seventh place with 13 points.
Buriram have been unbeaten in the league this season, but they have conceded six goals against 17 scored.
Suphanburi, on the other hand, have the best defence this year and in their three wins, four draws and one loss, they have allowed their rivals to find the net only on four occasions.
Suphanburi assistant coach Sathaporn Wajakhum is hoping that his defenders will keep Buriram in check and help the team claim a draw at home.
“We are ready, but Buriram are one of the best teams in the country. They have proved that they can rub shoulders with some of the top Asian sides,” said Sathaporn.
“We will try our best to get a point from the match.”
Buriram United assistant coach Monsek Teerapanon said: “Our team have to play more matches than the other clubs as we are busy in both domestic and AFC Champions Leagues.
“We are struggling to keep our players fit. We are lucky that we don’t have any injured players apart from Andres Tunez.
“Playing an away game with Suphanburi is never easy, but we hope to grab three points.”
Buriram secured a 1-1 home draw with Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Bangkok United play away at Port without Brazilian striker Vander Luiz.
Bangkok United assistant coach Watsapol Kaewpaluek said: “We did not play well in the previous match It was probably our worst performance of the season so far.
“But we are confident that the team will bounce back and we are expecting a victory over Port.”
Bangkok United suffered a 1-0 home loss to Chiang Rai United on Sunday.
Weerayut bin Abdulrahman, assistant coach of Port, said: “Our defence has been our weak point.
“We are expecting a tough game against Bangkok United. We lost 4-2 to Police Tero in the last game so we are a bit low on confidence as well.”
Struggling former champions SCG Muang Thong United host Navy, who sacked their coach Wiriya Phaophan on Wednesday after a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Ratchaburi on Sunday.
The Kirins are under interim coach Santi Chaipuek, while Chumnarn Praekhuntod will take charge of Navy’s dugout in a caretaker capacity tomorrow.