Who are the A-League game-changers?

We’re moving into the business end of one of the closest Hyundai A-League seasons in years heading into Round 26.

But who is most important to their side’s hopes of going all the way?

We checked out Opta stats to come up with the stats superstars who’ll win games and torment the opposition.

Milos Dimitrijevic: Sydney FC’s midfield maestro

While marquee man Marc Janko’s 16 goals have received most of the attention, the Serbian midfielder is a vital component to Sydney FC’s championship challenge. Dimitrijevic is the complete midfielder, as you’ll see.

Assists: 4

Chances created: 46

Crosses: 118 crosses

Successful dribbles: 45

Won fouls: 42

Passes: 1412 passes for the season at 87.4% accuracy.

Interceptions in the middle of the park: 50

Ball recoveries: 164 (the most of anyone in his side)

Nathan Burns: Phoenix’s new sensation

Burns has been a revelation since linking up with Ernie Merrick’s Phoenix, culminating in a return to the Green and Gold for the Asian Cup.

Goals: 13 goals for the campaign – second only to Janko – with all of those strikes coming from inside the box.

Shots: 47 (with 34 of those on target at 72.3% accuracy)

Dribbles: a league-high 76 successful dribbles

Assists: 4

Key passes: 26

Ball recoveries: 79

Fouls won: 49

Gui Finkler: Victory’s X-Factor

In a side with so many classy players and match-winners, the Brazilian maestro looms as Victory’s key man if they are to go all the way. The only genuine ‘No.10’ in the squad, Finkler seems to be hitting his traps at just the right time of the season.

Goals: 3 in his last three matches and 7 goals for the campaign

Attempts at goal: 21

Conversion rate: 33%.

Assists: 8

Crosses: 143

Key passes/chances created: 54

Marcelo Carrusca – Adelaide’s orchestrator

The Argentine has enjoyed his best season in the Hyundai A-League: of the six matches Carrusca has missed this season, Adelaide have lost four of them, while only losing four of the 19 he has played.