With second spot out of reach, Adelaide United coach Rini Coolen is hoping consecutive wins against Melbourne Victory will ensure the Reds maintain third spot to potentially set up two home finals.
If the table remains the same after the weekend’s results, Adelaide would host sixth placed Wellington before a second final in Adelaide if they were successful against the Phoenix.
But first, the Reds face off against bitter Victory rivals at Adelaide Oval on Friday night, sitting a point clear of fourth placed Gold Coast who meet minor premiers Brisbane Roar on Saturday night.
A win against the Victory would see United hold third spot while a loss or a draw and an upset GCU win over Brisbane will see the Reds cough up third.
The Reds broke their 10-game losing streak against Melbourne when the two sides last met in January after United won 4-1.
Coolen admitted another win against the fierce rival would secure third spot and definitely give his side plenty of confidence heading into the finals after going three games without a win.
“That’s what we want. Even if we don’t win the last game we could have the number three position,” he said.
“But it’s much easier to win again and know that you definitely have spot number three. I think you have to do everything for the club, our supporters, to win that game because everybody knows it’s a little bit different game than normal, and to win that game gives you a little bit more confidence to prepare for the finals, there is every reason to go for the three points.”
Sergio van Dijk left the track early on Thursday with a heavily-iced thigh but Coolen said the A-League’s top scorer with 16 goals for the season is expected to start.
Matthew Leckie was rested last week but is also tipped for a recall with the Dutchman hoping to get more game time into the Young Socceroo before the finals as well as fellow speedster Andy Slory but remained tight-lipped on his starting XI.
“It was not necessary to take any risks with Sergio today, he had a knock one day ago but it’s not a problem … more than likely he’s fit,” he said.
“Leckie feels much better now, he’s still not good enough to play 90 minutes. He’ll get a lot of playing time tomorrow. He might start or he might come in during the game.”
“We also have to prepare him for the games during the finals, give him as much playing time as possible as well as Slory. So, we have to take some decisions tomorrow, who is starting, who is on the bench.”
Coolen heaped praised on the Victory camp and even admitted with everyone available, fit and firing, they were still capable of winning the championship for a record third time.
The Reds coach highlighted the return of striker Robbie Kruse from Asian Cup duties with Australia as instrumental to Melbourne’s return to form with three consecutive wins.
“They have some players coming back in the last couple of weeks. One of them was playing in the national team, Robbie Kruse,” he said.
“They start playing well in the last weeks. They have good balance, a good defensive line and good midfielders and have a couple of players who can make the difference in the transition moments.”
“They have a really good team, they are preparing themselves for the finals as well, they come back well from the period where they didn’t play fantastic. They are one of the teams, if everybody is available, if everybody is fit for them, they have a chance to win the grand final, that is how good that team is.”
