The Hyundai A-League Finals Series has come early for three clubs, with Wellington Phoenix, Adelaide United and Melbourne City all vying for a pivotal fourth-place finish.
Phoenix’s loss to the Reds on Sunday – coupled with City’s thrashing of Brisbane Roar – means there is now just one point separating the three clubs as we head into Round 25.
Mark Rudan’s Wellington (37 points) are currently fourth, ahead of the Reds (also 37) only on goal difference, with City a further point behind.
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Securing a fourth-place finish brings with it a home final in the opening week of the playoffs.
So there is extra incentive for all three clubs to finish the regular season strongly over the next three weeks to ensure they are the side that gets into the top four.
Here’s a closer look at what lies ahead for Phoenix, Adelaide and City over the last three rounds as the race for fourth spot heats up.
Wellington Phoenix
Current position: 4th – 37 points, GD: +8
Who they play? – Roar (a), City (h), Glory (a)
Prior to Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Adelaide at Coopers Stadium, Wellington appeared to be on a steady course for the top four as the form side of the three contenders.
They had recorded three straight wins, scoring a record 15 goals, and seemed to have all the momentum.
But their uninspiring display against the Reds has opened the door for the chasing pack and heaped the pressure on Rudan’s men.
While they should have little trouble seeing off the struggling Roar this weekend, things get trickier for the Kiwi outfit in the final two rounds.
Everything could rest on the Round 26 clash in Wellington against City.
They will want to have a top-four spot locked in heading into the last game, which will be a long trip to Perth to face a Glory side that is likely to be presented with the Premiers’ Plate and will be keen to celebrate their achievement with a victory.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6023517652001
Adelaide United
Current position: 5th – 37 points, GD: +2
Who they play? City (a), Victory (h), Roar (a)
Are the Reds the team that are peaking at just the right time?
After snapping their five-game winless run by beating Central Coast Mariners in Round 23, Marco Kurz’s men put in their best performance in months to swarm the Phoenix on Sunday.
Their first-half display was particularly impressive, scoring three goals and playing some eye-catching attacking football.
But there’s still a couple of tough challenges ahead of the Reds if they are to clinch fourth spot.
Their inferior goal difference to the Phoenix means they will need to get more points than Wellington over the last three rounds to finish ahead of them.
Saturday afternoon’s clash with City at AAMI Park is set to define the hopes of both sides.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6023505754001
Melbourne City
Current position: 6th – 36 points, GD: +3
Who they play? Adelaide (h), Phoenix (a), Mariners (h)
Seven days can be a long time in football. Just ask Warren Joyce and his City players.
This time last week they looked the side most vulnerable to potentially dropping out of the top six, with Newcastle Jets on their heels.
Now – after Friday night’s 4-1 drubbing of the Roar – City have their destiny in their own hands in the battle for fourth spot.
With matches against the two teams above them in the next fortnight, if City can win both of those clashes you would think a top-four berth is theirs.
Especially with a game against wooden-spoon favourites Central Coast Mariners to finish things off in Round 27.
Most importantly for Joyce’s side, two of their last three matches are on home soil at AAMI Park, where they are unbeaten in 10 straight games.
https://players.brightcove.net/5519514571001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6022821848001
Could Glory get their hands on the Premiership this weekend?
The short answer is yes.
Sunday night’s professional 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners in Gosford has maintained Glory’s six-point lead over second-placed Sydney FC.
With three games of the regular season to go, it seems a matter of when, not if, Glory will lift their first piece of Hyundai A-League silverware.
If the Perth side are to get their hands on the Premiers’ Plate this weekend, they would need the Sky Blues to drop points in Saturday night’s Derby against Western Sydney Wanderers.
That would see Tony Popovic’s side gain an unassailable lead if they can then defeat Newcastle Jets at HBF Park on Sunday evening.
If the Sky Blues take maximum points against the Wanderers, the earliest Glory can officially claim the Premiership is in Round 26, when they travel to Sydney to take on Steve Corica’s side.
