Season 2017/18 is coming right down to the wire as the race for the finals reaches its climax.
The Hyundai A-League Finals Series has come two weeks early for Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.
The two sides will meet in a huge clash at ANZ Stadium on Saturday in what is shaping as a winner-takes-all battle for the final spot in the top six.
John Aloisi’s men currently hold the upper-hand, sitting in sixth spot with a two-point buffer to the Wanderers.
They also seem to be hitting form at just the right time, winning six of their last nine matches in the Hyundai A-League.
But despite going winless in their last three games, the Wanderers know a win in front of their home fans will strengthen their claims for a finals berth.
These two clubs are no stranger to blockbuster match-ups.
In fact, on each of the four occasions that the Wanderers have made the Hyundai A-League Finals Series, they’ve faced-off against the Roar.
In the 2012/13 Season, the Wanderers’ inaugural campaign in the Hyundai A-League, it was Brisbane that Tony Popovic’s men defeated 2-0 at Parramatta Stadium to book their ticket to the Grand Final.
A season later and it would be revenge for the Roar, prevailing 2-1 after extra-time in an epic decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Perhaps the most famous finals clash between the clubs cam in the 2015/16 Season, in one of the greatest matches in Hyundai A-League history.
Despite trailing 3-0 inside 26 minutes, the Wanderers stormed home to win 5-4 after extra-time thanks to Dario Vidosic’s winner.
And then last season it was Roar’s turn again to have bragging rights, ending the Wanderers’ season in a thrilling penalty shootout in the Elimination Final.
While Saturday may not be a finals match, it certainly has that kind of feeling to it.
The two sides have enjoyed one win apiece over each other in 2017/18, indicating there is very little between them.
With so much at stake, get ready for a sensational 90-minutes of nerves, drama and entertainment in Sydney’s west!
