With the neon lights of the WHA Rayong Stadium poised to illuminate another heady contest, Rayong FC and Ayutthaya United renew hostilities in a Thai League 1 matchup that carries implications far beyond three early-season points. Despite Ayutthaya’s marginally stronger record and recent top-half position, there are signs the visitors could be walking into a Rayong ambush — led by the irrepressible Stenio Marcos.
Historic Rivalry: Deadlocked but Tense
The fixture doesn’t channel the intensity of a century-old derby, but recent history has ensured this “promotion class reunion” retains a biting edge. In their last 10 meetings, Ayutthaya United have a slight upper hand, winning five times to Rayong’s three, though both clubs have managed only one win each from their most recent four league fixtures. Their battles span league tiers, playoffs, and tightly-fought regular season encounters, with their most memorable faceoff coming in May 2024—a fevered Promotion Playoff won 4-3 after extra time by Rayong. That epic, featuring a brace from Jetsada Batchari and a late clincher in extra time, lingers in the memory and underlines the unpredictability that hovers over this tie.
Current Form: Parity with a Hint of Promise
At the daylight midpoint of September 2025, both sides find themselves scrapping for early traction in Thai League 1. Rayong sit 9th, boasting a patchy 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 defeats in their four matches—hardly seismic, but with enough spark to keep hope alive. Their home form (W, L) is notably stronger than away, and they've scored every time they’ve taken the field—a testament to their evolving attacking identity.
Ayutthaya United, ranked 6th, have fared a shade better: 1 win, 2 draws, 1 defeat, and, tellingly, a reputation for away resilience (W, L on the road). With both teams averaging 1.5–2 goals per match and conceding at similar rates, expectation leans towards a high-scoring, open affair.
Key Players: Stenio Marcos Lights the Fuse
The spotlight will burn brightest on Rayong’s Stenio Marcos da Fonseca Salazar Junior, the league’s breakout starlet and already a fan favorite in Rayong colors. His 4 goals in 4 matches represent two-thirds of Rayong’s output to date, and his combination of poise and predatory instinct has transformed the side’s attack. Partnered with Ryoma Ito, whose 2 assists and creative flair make him the supply line, Rayong have found a dangerous formula—scoring in every game and threatening to burst out with a signature result.
Ayutthaya United lack a singular talisman, but their production is refreshingly collective. While the names on the team sheet change, their 8 goals scored in 10 recent head-to-heads hint at a flexible, unpredictable offensive approach. While specific top scorers for the current campaign are less publicized, fans will expect impact from their quickest wide men and the versatile J. Paulo, who struck in last May’s playoff barn-burner.
From Defense to Offense: Open Gates at Both Ends
Neither defense boasts ironclad credentials. Rayong have shipped 6 goals in 4 games, while Ayutthaya have given up 7 in that span. Both sides have failed to keep a single clean sheet; in fact, every game for each has seen both teams score. This explains why “over 2.25 goals” has hit in most of their matches, with a combined average hovering near 3 goals per contest.
Contrasting Philosophies: Rayong’s Risk vs. Ayutthaya’s Caution
Rayong demand attention for their boldness. Despite setbacks, coach Wisanusak Saengsurin has encouraged his side to press and play on the front foot—at home especially. Their expected goals (xG) of 2.05 at home underscores their willingness to commit numbers forward and test even the league’s strongest defenses.
Ayutthaya, on the other hand, thrive on compact organization and counterattack. They’re most dangerous when absorbing pressure and unleashing quick transitions, using speed on the break and set-piece cunning to carve out chances. Their “both teams to score” rate sits at a perfect 100%, indicative of the edge-of-your-seat drama they bring wherever they travel.
Most Recent Matches: Searching for Consistency
In their most recent outings, both teams displayed a blend of promise and vulnerability.
Rayong’s latest effort before this clash was a 1-1 draw—reflective of their shoot-first, defend-later tendencies, with Stenio once again on the scoresheet. The offense found pockets of space but the backline’s soft center remained exposed, a running thread in matches where they never fail to entertain, even if they fail to win.
Ayutthaya, meanwhile, followed up a 2-2 draw with a hard-fought 2-1 victory away from home—evidence that they can both rally from adversity and execute a game plan on the road. Their goals came from precise, sweeping moves, the kind that can trouble a Rayong defense still assembling its chemistry.
Tactical Battles and What’s at Stake
Sunday’s contest is more than a test of schemes; it is an emotional referendum on two philosophies. Rayong, with momentum building in attack and local supporters itching for a scalp, want to prove their place among the top-flight’s middle tier. Ayutthaya, looking to consolidate a solid start, hope to outlast and counterpunch their way to another road result.
Every goal, every defensive slip, will be under scrutiny. The subplots—Stenio’s surge for the golden boot, Ito’s threading passes, Ayutthaya’s collective grit—will all play out before (perhaps restless) home fans aware that momentum must be seized, not merely inherited.
Prediction: Rayong Primed for Their Statement Win
With both offenses rampant and midfield battles set to tilt in either direction, the game will likely hinge on conversion rates inside the box and that one intangible: home hunger. If Rayong’s attack finds early success, the crowd could carry them to a season-defining win. Expect Stenio Marcos, in particular, to underline his status as one of the league’s most electric strikers.
But don’t rule out late drama—Ayutthaya are specialists in away resilience and clawing back points from crazy positions. Yet, amid all the matchday uncertainty, there’s a sense this is Rayong’s moment to punch above their purported weight.
As the teams walk out on Sunday, the whispers may grow into roars: when you have the league’s most in-form marksman and a home crowd behind you, the script is there to be re-written. For Ayutthaya, survival means silencing those roars. For Rayong—and for Stenio—the opportunity is clear: seize the headline, and maybe set the tone for a season of surprises.
Projected Lineups and Key XIs
Rayong FC (4-2-3-1):
- Goalkeeper: T. Phakphoom
- Defenders: Arthit, Sarawut, Jetsada, Thanakorn
- Midfielders: Ryoma Ito, Warawut
- Attackers: Stenio Marcos, S. Salazar, S. Chaidong, K. Boonchuen
Ayutthaya United (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: K. Weerachat
- Defenders: Pongsakorn, T. Chulapa, V. Suriya, N. Kittisak
- Midfielders: P. Mongkol, J. Paulo, Y. Nattapat
- Forwards: W. Pongsakorn, S. Kraisorn, T. Thanakrit
Final Thought
The lights in Rayong are bright, and so is the promise of their frontline. Ayutthaya’s steadiness will be tested by a team—and a player—on the cusp of something more. If Rayong are to make a statement this season, it feels like it starts here, with their Brazilian star leading the charge.