Ratchaburi Mitr Phol will host Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh on Wednesday, October 7, in the opening round of Group A in the 2026-27 ASEAN Club Championship. The match at Ratchaburi Stadium brings together two teams from Thailand and Vietnam looking to make a strong start to their regional campaign.
Ratchaburi Looking to Use Home Advantage
Ratchaburi enter the game with home advantage and plenty of attacking quality, although their recent results have been mixed. They drew 1-1 away to Rayong in their most recent Thai League 1 match after beating Bangkok United 1-0. Before that, they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Ayutthaya United.
The Thai side also showed both sides of their game in a 6-4 defeat to Shanghai Port in the AFC Champions League Elite. Ratchaburi scored four goals in that match but conceded six, highlighting the attacking threat they can offer while also raising questions about their defensive organisation.
Ekanit Panya and Khemdee are among the notable players in the Ratchaburi squad, while Malaysia international Daniel Ting adds further experience. With the match being played at home, Ratchaburi will expect to control possession and put pressure on the visitors from the opening stages.
Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh Face a Difficult Test
Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh arrive in Thailand with a squad that has undergone significant changes. The Vietnamese club started the new V.League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Hanoi FC but subsequently lost 1-0 away to Bac Ninh.
The visitors also have a demanding selection situation. Four players were involved with the Vietnam national team at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup and travelled directly to Thailand for this match. Coach Arthur Diles acknowledged that adapting to new players and dealing with the absence of several regulars presents a significant challenge.
Despite those difficulties, Diles has promised an attacking approach. He said his team wants to play proactively and without fear, regardless of the opponent or venue. Striker Jason Cummings, one of the club’s new additions, has also made clear that Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh are targeting the ASEAN Club Championship title.
Key Battle
The main battle could come in the attacking areas. Ratchaburi have demonstrated that they can score heavily, but their defensive weaknesses could give Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh opportunities on the counterattack.
For the Vietnamese side, maintaining defensive discipline will be particularly important. Ratchaburi’s home advantage and experience in international competition could make them difficult to contain if they are allowed to build momentum early.
Ratchaburi Mitr Phol vs Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh Prediction
Ratchaburi appear to have a slight advantage because of home support and their experience in regional and continental competition. However, Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh have enough attacking options to make the contest competitive.
The visitors’ squad changes and the absence of several internationals make the outcome difficult to call. Ratchaburi should have the better opportunity to control the match, but Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh could cause problems if they exploit spaces behind the home defence.
Prediction: Ratchaburi Mitr Phol 2-1 Cong An TP Ho Chi Minh