Bitter rivals Buriram United and SCG Muang Thong United meet in the FA Cup quarter-finals today.
The FA Cup has become more important this year as the champions will earn a direct entry into the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage.
Buriram have already secured a place in the 2022 ACL play-offs as Thai League 1 runners-up.
Buriram coach Alexandre Gama will want to settle a score with Muang Thong after being sacked by the Kirins last year.
In his second stint at Buriram, Gama took them from the lower half of the table to second place in the 2020/21 Thai League 1 season, which ended last Sunday.
However, since his return to the Thunder Castle, Gama has not yet been able to beat Muang Thong, now coached by their former player Mario Gjurovski.
In their two meetings in the league, Gjurovski’s Muang Thong beat Buriram 3-2 at Chang Arena and earned a 2-2 draw at SCG Stadium.
“This is an important game for both teams,” Brazil’s Gama said ahead of today’s game at Chang Arena.
“This is a big match in Thai football and we surely want to qualify for the next round.
“We are ready to face them. We have respect for them but our goal always is to win trophies.”
Muang Thong, who finished seventh in the league, are fresh from handing T1 champions BG Pathum United their only league defeat of the season on the final day of the campaign.
“After beating BG Pathum, our players look more confident,” said Macedonia’s Gjurovski.
“Buriram will be under more pressure. We are eager to win and qualify for the semi-finals.”
Meanwhile, T1 side Chiang Rai United should have few problems when they meet third-tier club Muankan United.
In today’s other matches, Chonburi are at home to Trat, who were recently relegated from T1, and Bangkok United take on Ratchaburi.