Having just recently moved back to their ‘home’ ground– the Thai Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng – Bangkok United are already musing over a move back to the tiny out-of-town Bangkok University ‘Stadium’. The reason for this apparently illogical move? Good old Thai superstition, of course!

The ‘Bangkok Angels’ originally left the Thai-Japanese for Rangsit in 2010 and results improved, although not enough to prevent relegation from the TPL. They then moved back to the Thai-Japanese in August in an attempt to boost crowds, and whilst crowds have indeed gone up, the ‘curse’ of the Thai-Japanese has not gone away. United haven’t won in Din Daeng for over two years, although they’ve spent a good part of that time playing in Pathum Thani. Fans are not impressed with the plan to return to Bangkok University which seems to be both a face-saving and job-saving maneuver by coach Prapol Pongpanich. They point out that results have been poor away from home in the second leg of the season and that most United fans live in and around the Din Daeng area. Logical argument versus superstition: I think we all know which point-of-view is likely to hold sway in this case!

This Weekend
There’s lots going on in and around the capital this weekend with eight games in the TPL and Division 1, games at 6pm unless otherwise stated.
The big game is at the PAT Stadium at 4pm on Sunday when leaders Buriram PEA take on Thai Port (Siam Keela TV). These two could well meet in the League Cup final after Port successfully negotiated their semi-final second-leg tie against Pattalung and PEA won their first-leg against Chonburi 1-0. Port have been looking decidedly uninspired recently, though as a host of negative performances have seen them drop into mid-table. Another defensive display and a 0-0 draw is perhaps the best the Khlong Toey Army can expect to see on Sunday.

There’s also a Bangkok derby on Sunday as BEC Tero Sasana host Army United (True Sport 2)at the Thephasadin Stadium. A win, or even a draw, could move the Fire Dragons into fourth spot. Army are now just five points above the relegation zone but will be content with a point from this one. Meanwhile, up in Pathum Thani, Bangkok Glass are at home to TTM Phichit (NBT 11) and Police United entertain Chiang Rai United (True 161).

All the above fixtures take place on Sunday. The only game involving a Bangkok club on Saturday is Osotspa-Saraburi v TOT (NBT 11). Also on Saturday, Khon Kaen are at home to Sisaket (4pm, Siam Keela TV). Finally, Pattaya are at home to Samut Songkhram on Sunday (T-Sport).

There’s no game for Muangthong United as they have been given another weekend off to prepare for their AFC Cup Quarter-Final second-leg tie against Kuwait SC. The Twin Qilins trail just 1-0 from the first leg. Is another famous AFC Cup night under the Yamaha Stadium lights in the offing? The match starts at 7:30pm on Tuesday and should be broadcast on TRUE if you can’t make it out to the stadium.

In Division 1, Bangkok United are away at the Thupatemi Stadium to take on JW Rangsit (4pm) while BBCU entertain Songkhla at the Army Stadium, Din Daeng. Both games are on Saturday. On Sunday, Bangkok FC host Chainat (4pm) and there’s just-about-a-local-derby as Air Force United host Thai Honda.