We’re down to the penultimate round of the Hyundai A-League with plenty still to play for heading into the last two weekends of the regular season.
There’s still spots up for grabs for both the top four and top six, with every match in round 26 to have a bearing on the make-up of those positions come the end of the campaign.
We take a look at the scenarios for all eight-teams still in contention to potentially be there come Grand Final day next month.
SYDNEY FC
Current position: 1st on 58 points (GD +38)
Can only finish in first spot regardless of results against Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory. They will receive the Premiers’ Plate after the final round clash against Victory.
NEWCASTLE JETS
Current position: 2nd on 47 points (GD +16)
Can only finish in second spot even if they lose their final two games, which are against Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners in a final round F3 Derby respectively.
MELBOURNE CITY
Current position: 3rd on 40 points (GD +8)
Best case: win their final two games against Central Coast and Wellington Phoenix to lock-up third spot.
Worst case: fail to win both games and then face the possibility of being leapfrogged by both Victory and Adelaide.
Can finish: 3rd, 4th or 5th
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Current position: 4th on 38 points (GD +6)
Best case: win their final two matches against Wellington and Sydney FC and then hope City lose a game to leapfrog their bitter rivals.
Worst case: drop their last two games and see both Brisbane and Adelaide secure maximum points.
Can finish: 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th
ADELAIDE UNITED
Current position: 5th on 36 points (GD 0)
Best case: win their final two games and hope both Melbourne clubs fail to win any of their matches.
Worst case: lose their last two games and see Brisbane Roar win both of their matches.
Can finish: 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th
BRISBANE ROAR
Current position: 6th on 32 points (GD -5)
Best case: win their last two games by big margins and then rely on both Adelaide and Victory lose their final two, needing to overturn an 11-goal difference to Kevin Muscat’s troops.
Worst case: lose their final two matches against the Wanderers and Perth Glory.
Can finish: 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th
WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS
Current position: 7th on 30 points (GD -11)
Best case: secure wins in their last two matches and see the Reds also lose their games, needing to overturn an 11-goal difference in the process.
Worst case: lose to both Roar and then Adelaide in the final round.
Can finish: 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th
PERTH GLORY
Current position: 8th on 29 points (GD -14)
Best case: Win their final two matches and hope for a draw between the Wanderers and Roar this weekend.
Worst case: lose their final two matches against the Jets and Brisbane.
Can finish: 6th, 7th or 8th