The Thai Premier League is poised for an exciting climax as it enters a mid-week round of fixtures on Oct. 22 with defending champions and leaders Buriram United looking over their shoulders.
Buriram will be hoping to win away at Bangkok United to ensure maintaining their narrow lead of two points over second-placed Chonburi FC, who will be in action against Osotspa Saraburi on the same day.
With just three matches remaining after the conclusion of the mid-week games, both of the title aspirants will be braced for a fight to the finish.
The league was thrown wide open on Oct. 19, when Buriram were held to a 2-2 draw by home team Osotspa. Chonburi won 2-1 against Sisaket FC to resuscitate their campaign after their 1-0 loss in the previous round against Army United.
Midfielder Boworn Tapla scored the match winner for Chonburi in the 49th minute. Fellow midfielder Krirkrit Thaweekarn -- an integral part of the Thailand team which impressed by reaching the semifinal of the Asian Games last month -- had put Chonburi ahead in the 33rd minute. But Krirkrit's strike was cancelled out by Sisaket's Australian striker Brent McGrath seven minutes later.
Buriram were on their way to clinch maximum points against Ostospa when their Spanish centre-back David Rochela scored his second goal of the evening in the 86th minute. However, the home team's Brazilian striker, Aron da Silva, equalised with just one minute remaining.
Adding to the excitement of the league is the race for the third and fourth positions. Muangthong United leapfrogged Thailand League Cup winner BEC Tero Sasana on Oct. 19 to occupy third place, four points below Chonburi.
BEC dropped all three points as they slipped to a 2-1 away loss to Ratchaburi FC. Muangthong did not break much sweat the previous day when they defeated Singhtarua FC 3-1.
BEC, who trail Muangthong by two points, will want to emulate Muangthong's result when they visit Singhtarua on Oct. 22. They will also be hoping for BEC to drop points against Army United on the same day.