The latest episode of Total A-Leagues is out now and this week host Vince Rugari and former Socceroos winger Tommy Oar give their predictions as to who will be playing finals football this season.
Round 25 of the Isuzu UTE A-League has thrown up some monster clashes when it comes to determining who will finish in the top six this season.
League leaders Auckland FC – who have officially locked down their spot in the finals – host fifth-placed Western Sydney Wanderers, Melbourne City entertain the Mariners plus high-flying Western United will be hoping to add to Perth Glory’s misery.
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Then, all eyes will be on Coopers Stadium on Saturday night as sixth-placed Adelaide United host seventh-placed Sydney FC in a mouthwatering ‘six-pointer’ between two sides who can ill-afford a loss.
With that in mind, the Total A-Leagues team predicted the results of the remaining fixtures in the Isuzu UTE A-League regular season to come up with their predicted top six.
Here’s how they see it playing out…
Tommy Oar’s predicted top six
Sat seven points clear at the top of the Isuzu UTE A-League with five games left to play, it’s little surprise 28-time Socceroo Oar has the current league leaders as his team to clinch the Premier’s Plate.
“I had Auckland. Obviously seven points ahead at the moment, I think that they’re too far ahead and I think that they’ll maintain that lead and go on to win the title,” said Oar.
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Despite Western United currently occupying second on the ladder heading into Round 25 when they face last-placed Perth Glory, Oar believes it’s another side who will snatch that crucial spot in Asia next season.
“I did have Melbourne City leapfrogging Western United,” revealed Oar. “I think that Melbourne City’s got a pretty good run home from here.”
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So Auckland FC in first, Melbourne City in second and Western United third. But who finishes fourth, fifth and sixth?
Securing an-all important home elimination final by virtue of finishing fourth will be Arthur Diles’ Melbourne Victory according to Oar, while Western Sydney Wanderers take out fifth spot.
“If you look at someone like the Wanderers for example, their next three games are against Auckland FC, Melbourne, City and Western United.
“Wanderers are obviously capable of beating any of those teams. Depending on the result of those games, which is obviously a very tough one to pick, it can change the whole picture very quickly.”
And finally, the all-important sixth spot?
“Ultimately, I have Sydney FC just piping Adelaide for sixth spot,” revealed Oar.
“The Sydney FC/Adelaide one was the one I kept playing with the most, and I think that the game this weekend is gonna go a long way to proving me right or wrong.”
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Tommy Oar’s final standings
Vince Rugari’s predicted top six
Seemingly in agreement with his co-host, Sydney Morning Herald football reporter Rugari has Steve Corica’s Black Knights down to clinch a first piece of silverware in their maiden campaign in the Isuzu UTE A-League despite Auckland FC having a tough run home.
“When you look at their games, they don’t have the easiest run home,” said Rugari.
“So their last five are Wanderers (at) home, Sydney FC away, (Melbourne) Victory away, Perth (Glory) at home, and then Western United away last weekend of the season in Tarneit.”
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Next up is Aurelio Vidmar’s Melbourne City, with Rugari believing they will finish the season on 49 points, two clear of Western United in third.
In fact, the pair agree that John Aloisi’s Western will finish third, Melbourne Victory fourth and indeed Alen Stajcic and Western Sydney Wanderers will finish fifth, so who then takes out sixth spot according to Rugari’s predicted results?
“I’ve got Adelaide ahead of Sydney,” said Rugari ahead of this weekend’s mouthwatering meeting between the two clubs at Coopers Stadium.
“Even though I, if you ask me, independent of, as I say, picking the results in the game, I think Sydney FC will just squeak in although,
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“My confidence levels in them are dropping.
Vince Rugari on Sydney FC’s chances of finishing in the top six
He went on to say: “I’m pretty sure I put in a draw for the Adelaide/Sydney game this weekend as well.
“Look, any of the results, nothing would surprise me as that is such a line ball game.”
Vince Rugari’s final standings
