Greatest ever finish in Hyundai A-League history? No doubt. One of four clubs could win the Premiership heading into a blockbuster final two rounds. Here’s the crucial info heading into Round 26.
Team: Melbourne City
Current position: 1st on 44 points
Fixtures: Perth (a), Adelaide (h)
Prediction: City are now in the box seat for the Premiership with a point more than their nearest rival. At this stage of the season, that’s could be crucial, though they face a huge test away to Glory on Sunday night followed by the Reds at home.
The return of Caltex Socceroos Aaron Mooy and Alex Wilkinson will be huge for JVS’s side but nothing less than a win will suffice with Brisbane and Wanderers both facing bottom three sides this weekend and desperate to edge ahead of them going into the final round.
But, City’s +22 goal difference is streaks ahead of any of their rivals and could well prove decisive.
Six points from final two matches.
Team: Brisbane Roar
Current position: 2nd on 44 points
Fixtures: Jets (h), Victory (a)
Prediction: Henrique’s last-minute winner against the Sky Blues reaffirmed Roar’s chances of finishing top, and they will be confident of continuing the momentum against the lowly Jets on Saturday night.
Should City slip-up against the Glory and they take the points this weekend, then destiny could be in Roar’s own hands with a trip away to Victory in the final round.
Four points from final two matches.
Team: Adelaide United
Current position: 3rd on 43 points
Fixtures: Sydney (a), City (a)
Prediction: After an awful start to the season, Gui Amor’s side are in with a great shout for the Premiership.
Will fancy their chances against the struggling Sky Blues this weekend before setting up a potential winner-takes-all clash with City in the final round for top spot.
Three points from final two matches.
Team: Western Sydney Wanderers
Current position: 4th on 42 points
Fixtures: Mariners (h), Phoenix (a)
A poor loss to Victory has severely dented the Wanderers’ hopes of a second Premiers Plate, and yet they have the softest run home of the top four sides.
Should easily account for the bottom-placed Mariners at home on Friday night before crossing the Tasman to face the inconsistent Phoenix in the final round.
With City and Adelaide meeting in the final round, Tony Popovic’s side are certainly still in the mix for top spot but they may rue not taking at least a point off Victory last week.
Six points from final two matches.
Team: Perth Glory
Current position: 5th on 40 points
Fixtures: City (h), Sydney (a)
Prediction: Kenny Lowe’s side have done remarkably to just make the finals but are intent on pushing for a top four spot and a home final.
Glory have won nine out of their last 10 matches but this weekend face a difficult proposition against a rampaging City outfit led by in-form trio Aaron Mooy, Harry Novillo and Bruno Fornaroli.
Should be too strong for a struggling Sky Blues outfit in the final round in Sydney.
Three points from final two matches.
Team: Melbourne Victory
Current position: 6th on 37 points
Fixtures: Phoenix (a), Brisbane (h)
Prediction: A timely return to form last weekend against the Wanderers all but secured Victory side a spot in the Hyundai A-League finals.
Kevin Muscat will be looking for continuity away to the Phoenix this weekend before steeling themselves for a final round clash with Roar in Melbourne.
Could be a real threat in the finals if they can recapture some of their attacking mojo from earlier in the season, though the ACL comes back around next week.
Four points from final two matches.
Team: Sydney FC
Current position: 7th on 31 points
Fixtures: Adelaide (h), Perth (h)
Prediction: Sydney’s slim finals hopes were effectively extinguished last weekend but Graham Arnold insists his side will continue to fight until the end of the season.
Must win both matches against the in-form Adelaide and Perth and hope Victory lose their final games to have any hope of post-season action.
In reality, Sydney’s season is gone and Arnold will already be looking at where he needs to strengthen his squad for next season.
Zero points from final two matches.
Team: Newcastle Jets
Current position: 8th on 27 points
Fixtures: Brisbane (a), Central Coast (a)
Prediction: A much improved campaign for Newcastle under rookie boss Scott Miller but a sixth straight season without finals is hard to take for loyal Jets supporters.
A trip to Brisbane is historically a happy hunting ground for Newcastle but with little more than pride to play for it’s hard to see the Novocastrians getting a result.
A final round F3 derby is huge for the club to give its fans some much needed joy.
Three points from final two matches.
Team: Wellington Phoenix
Current position: 9th on 25 points
Fixtures: Victory (h), Wanderers (h)
Prediction: A lack of cutting edge and stability within the squad has cruelled Wellington’s campaign.
Will relish a return to home comforts for the final two rounds but face difficult assignments against Victory then Wanderers.
Ernie Merrick challenged his team to be more proactive after losing to City so expect entertaining affairs at Westpac Stadium.
Zero points from final two matches.
Team: Central Coast Mariners
Current position: 10th on 13 points
Fixtures: Wanderers (a), Jets (h)
Prediction: Recorded their 18th loss of the campaign against the Reds and things don’t get any easier with a trip to Wanderland this weekend.
Like the Jets, the local derby in the final round is a chance to put some smiles back on the fans’ faces after a forgettable season.
Zero points from final two matches.
