FC Songkhla vs Nakhon Pathom United on 1 February
The Division 2 tournament continues to heat up as FC Songkhla prepares to face Nakhon Pathom United on February 1st. With both teams desperate for points to stay in the hunt for promotion, this clash promises to deliver high stakes, tactical intrigue, and a crucial battle for momentum. FC Songkhla will host the match at their home ground, hoping to capitalize on familiar surroundings, but Nakhon Pathom United's attacking prowess could turn the game into a real contest. Let's break down the key factors at play in this crucial encounter.
FC Songkhla: Tactical Approach and Current Form
FC Songkhla enters this match with a mixed bag of results in their last five games, posting two wins, two losses, and a draw. The team's form has been inconsistent, and this has caused a few concerns, particularly in their defensive shape. However, their attack has been a positive, with the team managing to score in four out of their last five matches. Their primary tactical setup tends to be a 4-3-3 formation, with a focus on quick transitions and high pressing to disrupt the opposition’s rhythm. FC Songkhla has averaged 53% possession over the past few matches, but their key metric has been their pressing actions. They have registered an impressive 16 pressing actions per match in their last five outings, suggesting a strategy built around disrupting the opponent's build-up play.
Key players include forward Pravit Chokchai, who has been in sensational form, contributing 4 goals in the last 5 games. His movement off the ball is essential in opening up spaces for the wingers, and his ability to finish chances is a huge asset to FC Songkhla. In midfield, captain Phitiwat Sinsai remains the engine of the team, dictating tempo and providing the link between defense and attack. However, they will be without one of their key defenders, Apisak Rakdee, who is suspended for this match after accumulating yellow cards. This suspension could leave a hole in their defensive structure, a significant vulnerability for a team that has conceded 8 goals in their last 5 games.
Nakhon Pathom United: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Nakhon Pathom United enters this fixture with slightly better form, having won three of their last five matches, including a key 2-1 win against a playoff contender. Their tactical approach often revolves around controlling possession and patiently building attacks through their midfield. They typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with two deep-lying midfielders offering protection to their defense while allowing their attacking midfielder to float between the lines. Their possession rate is impressive, averaging 58% in their last five matches, and they focus on maintaining composure in the final third, averaging 6.5 shots on target per match in recent games.
Their attack is spearheaded by talismanic striker, Adisorn Kittichat, who has found the back of the net 5 times in the last 5 matches. His ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play makes him a central figure in Nakhon Pathom United’s offense. Meanwhile, their star midfielder, Bordin Phonprakhon, has been instrumental in dictating play, contributing 4 assists in their last 5 outings. However, Nakhon Pathom United will be without right-back Pheerathach Thammasuk, who is sidelined with an ankle injury. His absence may affect their ability to support attacking plays down the right side, forcing them to adjust their balance and potentially play more centrally.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The history between these two teams is fairly evenly balanced, with each side having won two of the last five encounters. Their most recent match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that highlighted the tactical strengths of both teams. FC Songkhla tends to control the tempo of the game at home, but Nakhon Pathom United’s counter-attacking play has been their weapon of choice in past meetings. In the 2025 season, FC Songkhla dominated the early stages, but Nakhon Pathom United struck decisively in the second half, exploiting the spaces left by FC Songkhla’s high pressing game. This pattern of close, tense contests suggests that the tactical battle on February 1st will be equally hard-fought.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most exciting individual battles will be between FC Songkhla's left-winger, Phongsakorn Sookprong, and Nakhon Pathom United’s right-back, who will have to fill in for the injured Pheerathach Thammasuk. Phongsakorn’s direct running and ability to cut inside will be a constant threat, while Nakhon Pathom United will need a solid defensive performance to neutralize his creativity. If Songkhla’s wingers are given space to operate, they could wreak havoc in the final third.
Another critical zone to watch will be the midfield battle. Phitiwat Sinsai for FC Songkhla will need to dominate possession and protect his defense from Nakhon Pathom United’s counter-attacks. The ability of Bordin Phonprakhon to control the tempo of the game will be crucial in this regard. If Phitiwat can cut off Bordin's supply, it could stifle the attacking flow of Nakhon Pathom United and allow Songkhla to capitalize on transitions.
Match Scenario and Prediction
The most likely scenario for this game is a tactical battle with a focus on possession and exploiting spaces. FC Songkhla will look to press high and force turnovers in dangerous areas, while Nakhon Pathom United will look to use quick counters to punish any spaces left by the home side's attacking intent. Given their attacking prowess, Nakhon Pathom United may have the edge in terms of finishing chances, but FC Songkhla’s home advantage could make the difference. The absence of Apisak Rakdee could open up some defensive vulnerabilities, but the attacking potency of Pravit Chokchai and Phongsakorn Sookprong may be enough to secure a narrow win.
Prediction: FC Songkhla 2-1 Nakhon Pathom United – The match is expected to be tight, with both teams having moments of dominance, but Songkhla’s attack could prove decisive in the final stages.
Final Thoughts
The outcome of this game hinges on a few critical factors: FC Songkhla’s ability to break down Nakhon Pathom United's defense, especially without Pheerathach Thammasuk, and whether their high pressing game can stifle the creative threats of Bordin Phonprakhon and Adisorn Kittichat. The tactical battle between these two sides will be fascinating, and the result could go either way. Will FC Songkhla’s attacking style prevail at home, or will Nakhon Pathom United capitalize on their counter-attacks? This match will answer that question and set the tone for the remainder of the season for both teams.
