BG Pathum United vs Adelaide United Predictions
BG Pathum United welcome Adelaide United to True BG Stadium for an AFC Champions League Two Group F encounter on Thursday.
High-scoring outcomes have been frequent for both teams in recent weeks, and I expect a similar scenario this week.
BTTS is my only choice.
Goals at Both Ends Backed in Thailand
- BG Pathum United have seen BTTS in 5 of their last 6 matches
- BG Pathum United scored 1+ goals in 22 of their last 24 matches
- have seen BTTS in 10 of their last 13 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Adelaide United scored 1+ goals in 18 of their last 20 matches
First Meeting Between Pathum and Adelaide
BG Pathum United and Adelaide United will meet for the first time on Thursday.
Pathum Held by Ten-Man Ayutthaya
BG Pathum United return to continental action after a 1-1 draw against Ayutthaya United in the Thai League One on Saturday.
Patrik Gustavsson's second-half equaliser cancelled out Willen Mota's opener, but the hosts could not find a winner despite playing against ten men for the final 30 minutes.
Vladimir Vujovic's side will have been frustrated to settle for a point after creating the better chances. Pathum had 58% possession, outshot Ayutthaya 18-7 and recorded an xG of 1.19 compared to the visitors' 0.20.
The Rabbits have made a slow start to the new campaign, picking up just one win in five competitive fixtures this season. Three of those games finished level, while BTTS landed in each of their four most recent matches.
A lack of clean sheets is a concern for the home side. BG conceded at least one goal in nine of their last 10 fixtures.
Pathum began their AFC Two campaign with a 1-1 draw at Lion City Sailors last month.
Gustavsson again scored after the break to rescue a point after Marko Nikolic's first-half own goal.
Adelaide Finish Pre-Season with Five Goals
Adelaide United travel to Thailand after completing their pre-season programme with a 5-2 friendly victory against Adelaide City last week.
Juan Muniz, Ajak Riak and Feyzo Kasumovic put the Reds three goals clear before half-time, with Brody Burkitt and Craig Goodwin adding further strikes after the interval.
The Reds won two of their last three friendly fixtures, including a 3-1 win at Perth Glory.
The visitors have yet to begin their A-League season but kicked off their AFC Two campaign with a 3-0 win against Tai Po last month. Ethan Alagich and Juan Muniz scored either side of the interval before substitute Craig Goodwin added a third.
Airton Andrioli's side kept a clean sheet in that group opener, but have conceded in each of their three subsequent friendlies.
Over a longer period, the Australian side leaked at least one goal in all but two of their last 22 competitive fixtures.
Adelaide are competing in continental competitions for the first time since their AFC Champions League group-stage exit in 2017.
BG Pathum United vs Adelaide United Team News
BG Pathum United: (4-3-3) Saranon Anuin; Fabio Kaufmann, Edin Osmanovic, Marko Nikolic, Waris Choolthong; Anthony Belmonte, Kritsada Kaman, Sarach Yooyen; Lucas Andersen, Joao Magno, Patrik Gustavsson.
Pathum boss Vujovic could make some changes to his first XI this week.
Kritsada Kaman, Sarach Yooyen and Joao Magno are pushing for starts after coming on at half-time against Ayutthaya.
The hosts have no reported injury or suspension issues.
Adelaide United: (4-4-1-1) Joshua Smits; Jay Barnett, Sotiri Phillis, Panagiotis Kikianis, Fabian Talladira; Jonny Yull, Luke Duzel, Ethan Alagich, Craig Goodwin; Juan Muniz; Brody Burkitt.
Adelaide boss Andrioli has a few injury issues this week. Bart Vriends, Dylan Pierias and Jake Najdovski are expected to miss the trip to Thailand.
Twenty-year-old forward Brody Burkitt is set to spearhead the Adelaide attack on Thursday.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Andrioli backed his side to get a result in Thailand:
“The expectation is to go there, perform and get a result. We want to do well in this competition. Playing in Asia is a great opportunity for us for many reasons, because it’s quite different to the A-League and gives our players opportunities to continue developing.
"They have to adapt and adjust, and hopefully that gives us an advantage moving forward. But we also want to be successful.”