For sporting theatre, this weekend will be like no other. Four clubs, that’s right four, could win the Hyundai A-League Premiership trophy! Here’s what you need to know ahead of the final Round 27.
Team: Brisbane Roar
- Position: 1st on 47 points (Goal difference +9)
- Play: Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night
Need to know: John Aloisi’s troops have destiny in their own hands heading into the final weekend after City’s loss to Perth on Sunday night.
- If they can beat Victory, the Premiership is theirs, while a draw will be enough should Adelaide and the Wanderers also drop points.
With Victory unable to move from sixth spot and with an AFC Champions League game in Korea on Wednesday, there’s a chance Roar could face a depleted Victory outfit (and the Big V will lose Besart Berisha; the star striker was red-carded on the weekend).
Brisbane appears in the box seat. But in this season of twists and turns, who knows?
Broich delighted with crucial winner for Roar
Broich winner boosts Roar’s Premiership hopes
Team: Adelaide United
- Position: 2nd on 46 points (Goal difference +15)
- Play: Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Friday night
Need to know: One point off top spot, the Reds head to City with a chance to ramp up the pressure on Brisbane who play 24 hours later at the same stadium – if they can take three points against John van ‘t Schip’s men.
The Reds’ away form – keeping a clean sheet in an A-League record four straight games on the road – means they will fancy their chances of doing just that against free-scoring City.
- There’s little room for error for Gui Amor’s side, who could still drop to fifth if they lose and see wins for Wanderers and Glory on Sunday.
Djite double sees Reds regain top spot
Team: Western Sydney Wanderers
- Position: 3rd on 45 points (Goal difference +9)
- Play: Wellington Phoenix at Westpac Stadium on Sunday
Need to know: depending on results earlier in the weekend, the Wanderers will already know if their title hopes are still alive by Sunday in Wellington.
- They need both Brisbane and the Reds to slip-up while taking all three points themselves.
Not impossible. Tony Popovic’s main concern will be ensuring they keep their spot in the top four – and a home final in week one of the Finals Series.
Wanderers pour in four against Mariners
Team: Melbourne City
- Position: 4th on 44 points Goal difference +21
- Play: Adelaide United at AAMI Park on Friday night
- City has seemingly blown their chance at the Premiership after the 3-2 loss to Perth Glory on Sunday. The defeat saw John van ‘t Schip’s side plunge from first to fourth over the weekend.
Three points off the top but with a far superior goal difference over all their title rivals, City need all results to go their way to claim the silverware.
Not only do they need to beat the Reds on Friday night but then they need to hope Brisbane loses to Victory on Saturday and the Wanderers either lose or draw against Wellington on Sunday.
It seems unlikely but as we’ve seen this A-League season, absolutely anything can happen!
