Three rounds remain in the A-League and with the finals series imminent, it is time to start looking at all of the finals contenders.
Each side has weapons at its disposal which will give them the edge at the business end of the season, as well as some weaknesses which have the potential to derail clubs’ finals campaigns.
Here is a look at the likely top six’s weapons and weaknesses for finals time.
Melbourne Victory
Remaining fixtures: (H) v Newcastle Jets, (A) v Brisbane Roar, (A) v Brisbane Roar, (H) v Central Coast Mariners.
Their Weapons:
The forward line combination of Besart Berisha, Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Kosta Barbarouses and Archie Thompson with Gui Finkler in behind them has been clinical this season. Between them they have scored 36 of the Victory’s record-breaking 50 goals so far this season.
Scoring has come easily and often for the Victory this season with an average of 2.17 goals per game – well above the next best of 1.79 goals per game for Sydney FC – with only two goalless games in 24 rounds so far this campaign.
Their Weaknesses:
The Victory have promised plenty come the pointy end of the season for the past two campaigns. The Melbourne side has been in championship contention in season 2012-13 and 2013-14, finishing third and fourth respectively.
However, the Victory failed to make it past the preliminary final with losses to the eventual champions on both occasions in the Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar.
Perth Glory
Remaining fixtures: (H) v Sydney FC, (H) v Melbourne City, (A) v Western Sydney Wanderers.
Their Weapons:
Goalscoring substitutes have become commonplace at Perth Glory. In eight matches, a Glory substitute has come on to score at least one goal. On three of these occasions, that goal secured points for the team from Perth.
That kind of fire power off the bench is invaluable, particularly in tight finals contests. Substitutes’ goals are usually scored late in the match and the Glory have made a habit of scoring in the last 15 minutes of games, too.
Fourteen out of their 40 goals for the season so far have come in the 75th minute or later.
Their Weaknesses:
Perth’s biggest problem at the moment is completely off field with allegations of the club breaching the salary cap potentially affecting its place on the ladder and consequently in the finals series.
With the findings from the FFA’s investigation into the potential breaches due early next week, and a likely punishment involving fines and the loss of competition points – which would be incredibly costly given the tightness of this year’s table – the Glory’s performance on the pitch could be a secondary factor in their finals campaign.
Wellington Phoenix
Remaining fixtures: (A) v Melbourne City, (H) v Central Coast Mariners, (H) v Sydney FC.
Their Weapons:
Although the Phoenix have not made finals in three years, they will not be lacking in knowledge or experience. One of Wellington’s most valuable commodities come finals time will not even be on the pitch.
With Ernie Merrick at the helm, a two-time championship-winning coach who has led a club to three grand finals, the Phoenix have someone who understands finals football in this league better than most – and that kind of knowledge is priceless.
Their Weaknesses:
One of the keys to Wellington’s success this season has been the stability in its starting XI. Its strength has come from an unchanged centre-back pairing of Ben Sigmund and Andrew Durante, with Albert Riera sitting in front of them, providing defensive cover and marshalling the midfield.
However, as seen against the Victory last weekend, without two of these players the Phoenix failed to have any influence in the midfield and looked vulnerable in defensive situations they would usually handle.
With no second chances in finals football, this kind of collapse will prevent the Phoenix from making it far in the finals series.
Adelaide United
Remaining fixtures: (H) v Brisbane Roar, (A) v Western Sydney Wanderers, (H) v Melbourne City.
Their Weapons:
The Reds have weapons at either end of the pitch. Goalkeeper and captain Eugene Galekovic has been a rock and will be vitally important to his side’s finals series. Adelaide’s custodian has eight clean sheets to his name, the equal best in the league alone with Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.
Down the other end of the pitch, Sergio Cirio has proven to be pivotal in the Reds’ attack. With seven goals, a club high six assists, 40 shots on goal and 42 chances created, Cirio’s involvement in the forward line is incredibly crucial.
Their Weaknesses:
Adelaide was unbeaten in the first seven rounds of the season but has been inconsistent ever since. Since the return of the league after the Asian Cup break, the Reds have had three losses, two draws and five wins (WLDWLLWDWW).
This inconsistency could harm their current position on the ladder, which would see them host a home elimination final, as well as derail their entire finals campaign.
Sydney FC
Remaining fixtures: (A) v Perth Glory, (A) v Newcastle Jets, (A) v Wellington Phoenix.
Their Weapons:
Sydney FC leads the league for away wins. They are so good away from home they have yet to lose away from Allianz Stadium. With seven wins and four draws from their 11 trips on the road this campaign, the Sky Blues have beaten seven of the league’s teams at home, while holding the other two to draws.
This ability to win, regardless of the venue, can only be a positive for Sydney come finals time, particularly if it is to remain in fifth position, which will see the club on the road for the elimination final.
Their Weaknesses:
Despite its fantastic away form, Sydney has struggled at home. Its five losses at home this season have all been dealt by fellow top six teams – Adelaide twice, Wellington, Perth and Melbourne City. They are also the only top six team with a negative goal difference at home.
A final at Allianz Stadium could prove detrimental to Sydney’s title aspirations.
Melbourne City
Remaining fixtures: (H) v Wellington Phoenix, (A) v Perth Glory, (A) v Adelaide United.
Their Weapons:
After the opening nine games with no clean sheets and an average of 2.1 goals conceded per game, Melbourne City replaced Andrew Redmayne in goals with Tando Velaphi and have been rewarded. Velaphi has kept 7 clean sheets in his 14 appearances this season. With him in goals, City have also conceded only 0.8 goals per game.
Velaphi’s good form, coupled with the recent run of solid performances from central defender, Patrick Kisnorbo, City’s defence could be the key to their longevity in the finals series.
Their Weaknesses:
Sitting in sixth with six points between them and seventh-placed Brisbane Roar means only a total capitulation would keep City from finals. By securing sixth spot, the Melbourne side will play in an away elimination final.
In their four years of existence, the club has made finals once. They were knocked out emphatically in the first week by eventual grand finalists, Perth Glory. Jonatan Germano is the only player from the squad still at the club today.
Although the likes of Aaron Mooy, Erik Paartalu and Massimo Murdocca have all had finals experience, the overall lack of finals time for the squad could see another early exit from the playoffs.
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