Buriram United's new coach Afshin Ghotbi couldn't have wished for an easier initiation into the Thai League as the struggling defending champions host relegation contedners Nakhon Ratchasima in a northeastern derby today.
With the national squad going into encampment to prepare for next month's King's Cup tomorrow, all nine league matches are scheduled to be played today.
Buriram, rocked by a string of lacklustre performances, sacked Alexandre Gama last week after making a clean sweep of local titles last year under the Brazilian coach.
Ghotbi of Iran was unveiled as the new Buriram coach this week.
Buriram manager Tatthep Pitakpoolsin said: "It can be a difficult match for our team.
"Nakhon Ratchasima are struggling and they haven't won for several matches so we can expect a backlash.
"We have a new coach in Afshin Ghotbi but this match will be played at our home so our target remains unchanged. We must get three points."
In another enticing battle, Chonburi take on in-form Bangkok United.
Chonburi media relations chief Jeerasak Chomthong said: "We only have 18 players who are fit enough to take the field.
"Our main striker Rodrigo Vergilio has injured his heel and will be out for a month. Other key players like Kim Jong-Pil, Anderson dos Santos, Narong Chansawek, Suttinun Phukhom and Pokklaw A-Nan are also injured, making it difficult for us to field a strong team.
"In any case, Bangkok United will be on our turf so this is our opportunity to claim three points from them."
Bangkok United assistant coach Watsapol Kaewpaluek said: "We don't have any injured or suspended players but we cannot underestimate Chonburi.
"For the past two years, we haven't won a game at Chonburi and although they have many injured players, they still have to be treated with a lot of respect."
Totchtawan Sripan's SCG Muang Thong United, who currently top the league table after eight consecutive wins, face bottom-placed BBCU.
"Our players are getting used to the tactics which is making our results look good," said Totchtawan. "Our goal is to extend our winning streak to nine matches on Saturday [today]."