Rayong vs Buriram United

High-flying Buriram United go to the Rayong Stadium to take on second-tier Rayong in a seemingly winnable Thai League Cup first-round tie.

Rayong headed into the winter break on a run of three league games without winning (D1, L2) despite finding the net in each of them. At home, the ‘Dragon Horses’ have only won one of their previous six competitive fixtures (D1, L4), though it’s worth noting that each of the last four has seen both teams score. Action either side of half-time is well on the cards, as three of those four abovementioned matches featured at least one goal in each half. However, Buriram’s visit to the Rayong Stadium is likely to stir painful memories in the home camp, with their only previous H2H here producing a frustrating 5-0 defeat. Yet, after scoring in five consecutive games ahead of this clash, Rayong will at least believe they can find the back of the net.

On the other hand, Buriram United enjoyed a stellar ending to the last calendar year, putting together three competitive wins ‘to nil’ to close 2021 out in style. That contrasts their previous form, as they went winless in three outings beforehand (D1, L2), failing to get on the scoresheet on each occasion. Since an action-packed 2-2 draw at Muang Thong United in March 2021, none of Buriram’s last nine competitive away fixtures have ended level (W5, L4), six of which saw the winner on the day register a shutout. But the ‘Thunder Castles’ have found the away goals hard to come by of late, scoring just once in their last three road trips while drawing a blank before half-time on each occasion