Muang Thong United are hoping that struggling BEC Tero Sasana will do them a major favour by holding Buriram United at least to a draw in their Thai Premier League clash today.
Muang Thong were in impressive form yesterday as they beat relegation contenders Saraburi 2-0 to take pole position in the standings, knowing full well that a victory for defending champions Buriram today would mean that their dreams of remaining top at the end of first half of the season would be dashed.
With the win, Muang Thong moved to the top with 37 points from 17 matches, one ahead of the Thunder Castle who have 36 points with a match in hand.
Against Saraburi, the Kirins were feeling the pressure despite the first half ending goalless. And they breathed a sigh of relief in the opening minutes of the second period when Macedonian Mario Gjurovski gave them a 1-0 lead with a superb shot.
The first goal reignited their quest for the net and Muang Thong created several scoring opportunities with both Teerasil Dangda and Cleiton Silva seeing shots narrowly miss the target.
Muang Thong United's second goal came in the 67th minute when Kasidej Vejchayawong found the net.
Chonburi met their target of picking up three points from their match against Osotspa with the help of a convincing 2-0 victory on their home turf.
The Sharks were given a 1-0 advantage by Nurul Sriyankem in the 34th minute and Keerati Keawsombat doubled the margin in the 51st. And when Jeferson Maciel was sent off in the 62nd minute, the writing was on the wall for Osotspa.
Ratchaburi, who had handed a 5-1 rout to Si Sa Ket last week, found themselves on the receiving end yesterday as they were whitewashed 4-0 away at Chiang Rai United, who were lifted by a spectacular brace from their prolific Brazilian strikers in the second half.
Chiang Rai opened scoring through Anon Sangsanoi in the last minute of the first half and Ratchaburi were forced into submission by a brilliant scoring spree by Brazilian duo Renato Martins and Renan Marques who had the local fans on their feet in the 71st and 77th minutes. The 3-0 advantage literally squashed any lingering hopes Ratchaburi may have harboured.
Saharat Kanyaroj netted a fourth for the hosts only a few moments before the final whistle was blown.
At Si Sa Ket Stadium, the hosts netted the winner through Victor Amaro in the 56th minutes to edge Nakhon Ratchasima 1-0 in a northeastern derby.