All matches 6pm unless stated otherwise.
After a long, long wait the season restarts in earnest with three BKK clubs home this weekend, and two derby fixtures to enjoy in the city. Early pacesetters Army United have fallen all the way to tenth, and the slide may not stop just yet as they meet fourth-place Bangkok Glass at the Army Stadium in Din Daeng on Saturday (True 102). But Saturday’s main event is undoubtedly at the PAT Stadium as Muangthong visit Thai Port (True 102, 4pm). These two clubs are like chalk and cheese, and matches between the two have aroused huge interest ever since crowd trouble at the notorious Queen’s Cup fixture between them in early 2010. Think of a Thai version of Juventus v Napoli, Chelsea v West Ham or Bayern Munich v St. Pauli, and you get the idea. Added spice, if it was needed, comes in the fact that it could also see Robbie Fowler make his TPL debut for Muangthong.
Then, on Sunday, TOT finally get to play a TPL match back at their TOT Stadium home in Chaeng Wattana, Lak Si. TOT have been ground-sharing with Muangthong for a couple of years, and played their last few games at the Army Stadium, but the team will run onto the pitch at their very own stadium against Chonburi (True 102). Their small but loyal support will be hoping that the return home will lead to an improvement on the pitch as TOT face a relegation battle in the second leg of the season; a battle which got off to a terrible start with a 4-2 loss at Khon Kaen last week. Elsewhere on Sunday, Police are away at TTM Phichit (True 69), and BEC Tero are at Siam Navy. Apparently, the Navy will use their new stadium in Sattahip after playing at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi for the first half of the season (NBT 11).
In Division 1 on Saturday, Thai Honda host Rajpracha, and Bangkok FC are at home to Samut Prakan Customs – both matches are at 4pm. On Sunday, RBAC host Chainat (4pm), JW Rangsit welcome Suphanburi (4pm) and BBCU are at home to FC Phuket. The big Division 1 match in Bangkok is at the Thai-Japanese Stadium in Din Daeng. Bangkok United have been playing in exile at the small Bangkok University Stadium in Pathum Thani since midway through last season, but on Sunday they will play their first game, against Air Force United, back at the stadium which fans of the club consider to be their true home ground.