Has there been a closer race for Westfield W-League glory?
The 2018/19 Season has been one of the most thrilling and absorbing in history, and with just two rounds remaining there’s sure to be more twists and turns around the corner.
With the Premiership, top four and Golden Boot winner still all undecided, here’s an overview of how things could play out.
But first: this is how the table looks as we head into Round 13.
READ: How to watch Westfield W-League Round 13
GOLDEN BOOT: We look at the players chasing Kerr’s tally
COMEBACK: Twitter reacts to Hayley Raso’s return from injury
It's all to play for at the top of the @WLeague with five points separating SIX sides ?
While in the Golden Boot race, @CaitlinFoord and @tatsdowie are ready to pounce on @samkerr1 ? #WLeague #SummerOfHeroeshttps://t.co/EUOS3OwoEG
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) January 21, 2019
Melbourne Victory (1st, 19 points, +5GD)
Things are unchanged for Jeff Hopkins’ side at the summit following Round 12 – and one win would see them confirm their spot in the top four.
Victory now have one game in hand on their title rivals, after last Thursday’s clash with Canberra United was abandoned due to lightning.
It means this Sunday’s clash with second-placed Sydney FC looms as a crucial one – win it, and Victory’s chances of lifting the Premiership go up a notch.
The run home: Canberra United (a), Sydney FC (h), Perth Glory (a)
Sydney FC (2nd, 18 points, +11GD)
The momentum is with Sydney FC. The Sky Blues leapfrogged Brisbane Roar into second place with their Round 12 3-1 triumph, and now have their sights on reeling in the league leaders.
Ante Juric’s side take on their table-topping rivals on Sunday in what is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated Big Blue fixtures in recent memory.
Win it, and the Sky Blues will move outright top by two points. They will, however, need to beat Melbourne City on the final day and hope Victory lose at least one of their remaining two fixtures in order to clinch the Premiership.
Sydney FC have likely secured their finals ticket – they’d need Adelaide to overturn a three point deficit and enormous for and against difference in their last two rounds in order to slip out.
The run home: Melbourne Victory (a), Melbourne City (h)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5991345522001
Brisbane Roar (3rd, 17 points, -1GD)
Saturday’s defeat to Sydney FC was a hammer blow to Roar’s hopes of retaining the Premiership – particularly considering it pushed Brisbane into negative goal difference.
Mel Andreatta’s side would need to overturn that deficit, win their next two matches and rely on both Victory and Sydney failing to eclipse their highest-potential tally of 23 in order to go back-to-back.
Nailing their spot in the top four is within though, and completely in their hands – four points from their next two matches should all but guarantee a Finals Series berth for the Queenslanders.
The run home: Canberra United (h), Adelaide United (a)
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Perth Glory (4th, 16 points, +5GD)
Glory would need to strike Bradbury-esque fortune in order to clinch the Premiership over the last two rounds.
In order to do so, Glory must win both their remaining matches – which includes the visit of Victory on the final day – and hope their maximum points total of 21 is not overtaken by Roar, Sydney FC or Victory.
A top four spot is the more realistic ambition for the Western Australians at this point in time, and Adelaide United are the primary threat.
However, Glory will all but seal a top four place with two wins in their next two matches.
The run home: Western Sydney Wanderers (a), Melbourne Victory (h)
Melbourne City (5th, 16 points, +3GD)
They couldn’t, could they?
The three-time Champions have one match remaining this season – a trip to Sydney FC in the final round.
City will need to take all three points from that one and rely on their best-possible total of 19 points being enough to secure a top four position.
The run home: Sydney FC (a)
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514572001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5991600130001
Adelaide United (6th, 15 points, -2GD)
It’s beginning to go slightly pear shaped for the competition’s biggest improvers – but don’t rule the Reds out of contention yet.
An unlikely title tilt requires Adelaide to gain maximum points and hope their best-possible total of 21 is not surpassed, but the more realistic scenario is United go all out on securing their top four place.
A maiden Finals Series berth would be granted if Adelaide win their next two matches, with their final round match against Brisbane Roar offering them a passage back into the top four.
Otherwise, United will probably need at least one win and for a slew of results to fall their way.
The run home: Newcastle Jets (h), Brisbane Roar (h)
Canberra United (7th, 12 points, -2 GD)
The situation hasn’t changed for Canberra United, whose aspirations rest purely on the teams above them dropping points.
Heather Garriock’s side must win their remaining two matches against Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar and hope that their best-possible points total of 18 is enough.
The run home: Melbourne Victory (h), Brisbane Roar (a)
The Golden Boot race
All of a sudden, Sam Kerr’s lead in the Golden Boot race has been cut to one.
That’s because Westfield Matildas teammate Caitlin Foord notched her second brace in as many weeks against Brisbane Roar, and now sits on nine goals – just one less than Kerr.
Don’t forget about Veronica Latsko either. The Adelaide forward found the net in her side’s disappointing loss to Western Sydney Wanderers and also trails Kerr by one.
Natasha Dowie (8) is also firmly in the mix. Victory have one game in hand on their competition, and there’ll be no shortage of motivation for the England striker to keep delivering in front of goal as they chase the Premiership.
