The race for the Liberty A-League premiership and top four is set to be decided in a frantic final round of action. KEEPUP explores what is at stake for each of the six teams in the hunt.
It all comes down to this.
Round 20 of the Liberty A-League season is shaping up to be a blockbuster, with six teams battling it out for either the Premiership or a top-four spot throughout a monster final weekend of action.
Due to a remarkable set of results last weekend, including Canberra United and Perth Glory knocking off Western United and Melbourne City respectively – plus Melbourne Victory dropping points at home to Brisbane Roar – the gap between the top six sides lessened significantly.
KEEPUP’s Campbell Johnson is joined by former Liberty A-League stars Teresa Polias and Grace Gill to talk about another incredible round of football – which set up a monster Round 20 of action in the Liberty A-League.
However, after Glory lost to Sydney FC on Wednesday night, the Premiership and top-four race took another turn with Alex Epakis’ side losing ground in the race for fourth while the Sky Blues edged ever closer to a third successive Premiership.
With one round remaining and two spots up for grabs inside the top four – plus a shiny piece of silverware on the line – KEEPUP previews what’s at stake this weekend.
You can catch all the action on Saturday afternoon on Dub Zone from 2:45 PM (AEDT) on 10 Play, KEEPUP YouTube and Dub Zone Facebook!
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THE RUN HOME
Sydney FC
- Position: 1st
- Points: 37
- Goal-difference: +24
- Final round matchup: vs Newcastle Jets @ Allianz Stadium, Saturday April 1, 5:05 PM (AEDT) kick-off
It’s quite simple for Sydney FC – just win.
The Sky Blues go into the final round in the box seat for a third consecutive premiership when they take on Newcastle Jets on Saturday evening.
A win will be enough to wrap up top spot, as will simply bettering or equalling Western United’s result against Western Sydney Wanderers.
Western United
- Position: 2nd
- Points: 36
- Goal-difference: +17
- Final round matchup: vs Western Sydney Wanderers @ City Vista Recreation Reserve, Saturday April 1, 3 PM (AEDT) kick-off
It’s been an incredible first season in the competition for Western United.
Despite a minor drop off in form as of late, United still sit within reach of reclaiming top spot on the final day, but will need a bit of help to get there.
Marc Torcaso’s side will have to beat Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday afternoon, then hope Sydney FC either draw or lose to the Jets.
Melbourne City
- Position: 3rd
- Points: 29
- Goal-difference: +13
- Final round matchup: vs Canberra United @ AAMI Park, Sunday April 2, 5:40 PM (AEST) kick-off
It’s win and you’re in for Melbourne City – who face a proverbial play-in game against Canberra United.
If City defeat Canberra on Sunday evening, they will wrap up third spot on the table and a draw will also be enough to cling onto a finals berth – although they may drop to fourth on the table if Melbourne Victory beat Wellington Phoenix on Saturday.
However, a loss plus a Victory win, will mean City miss out on the finals entirely with Canberra taking their place inside the top four.
Melbourne Victory
- Position: 4th
- Points: 28
- Goal-difference: +7
- Final round matchup: vs Wellington Phoenix @ Sky Stadium, Saturday April 1, 10:15 AM (AEDT) kick-off
Just like their cross-town rivals, Melbourne Victory quite simply just have to win on Saturday in New Zealand.
Victory kick-off the round on Saturday morning (AEDT) against bottom-placed Wellington Phoenix, needing just a win to wrap up a spot in the finals and keep their hopes of three consecutive championships alive. Should City also drop points, Victory would leap-frog their rivals into third.
A draw also doesn’t guarantee a finals berth and in that case would need either City to win or draw to make finals.
However, a loss and suddenly, things get prickly. A Canberra win OR draw would be enough for them to usurp them in the four, as could a Perth Glory win – but they would have to win by enough to overtake Victory on goal difference.
Canberra United
- Position: 5th
- Points: 28
- Goal-difference: +5
- Final round matchup: vs Melbourne City @ AAMI Park, Sunday April 2, 5:40 PM (AEST) kick-off
Canberra United are coming home with a wet sail.
Seven games without loss has catapulted the side from the capital right into the hunt and now are in full control of their finals destiny heading into the final round.
If Canberra beats City in the last game of the season, they will wrap up a finals berth. However, they can also make it via two other mechanisms.
A draw, plus a Melbourne Victory loss will also mean they make finals, as would a loss – but the reigning champions would have to lose by two goals more.
Perth Glory
- Position: 6th
- Points: 25
- Goal-difference: +4
- Final week matchups: vs Brisbane Roar @ Perry Park, Saturday April 1, 3 PM (AEDT) kick-off
It’s going to be tough from here for Perth Glory.
Alex Epakis’ side missed a great chance to cut into the top four when they fell 4-2 to Sydney FC on Wednesday night and now need to win and get a lot of help to wrap up an unlikely finals berth.
Perth will need to beat Brisbane Roar – plus make up some goal difference – and hope both Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix beat both Canberra United and Melbourne Victory.
Anything less than a win in their away clash against Brisbane will mean they miss the finals guaranteed.
FINALS SERIES FORMAT
Week one:
Qualifying Final – 1st vs 2nd – winner progresses to Grand Final, loser plays winner of Elimination Final
Elimination Final – 3rd vs 4th – winner plays loser of Qualifying Final, loser eliminated
Week two:
Semi Final – QF loser vs EF winner – winner advances to Grand Final to face Qualifying Final winner
Week three:
Grand Final – QF winner vs SF winner
