Just five games remain until finals, and it’s a close battle for the top six. Ten points might separate top dogs Brisbane Roar and second Western Sydney Wanderes, but only four points separate the next five spots on the ladder.
Pressure is mounting, and for the Wanderers, Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners, they’ve got other things to think about with their AFC Champions League campaigns.
Fatigue for the three will leave them vulnerable, and many of the lower positioned clubs will be hoping to capitalise.
Melbourne Victory were surprisingly ruthless in securing a 3-1 win at home to the Mariners last Friday, before being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Jeonbuk Motors in the ACL on Wednesday.
Travelling this week to take on a languishing Perth Glory, it’s really anyone’s game.
Victory’s coach, Kevin Muscat chose to leave Archie Thompson and centre-back Pablo Contreras out of the ACL squad on Wednesday and will mostly likely
place them in the squad up against Glory. Also back on board are Tom Rogic and captain Mark Milligan after returning from international duty.
Perth has defenders William Gallas and Michael Thwaite to pick from again and should be fit to play against the Victory despite picking up slight injuries in the game against Wellington Phoenix.
The reigning champions, Central Coast have really been struggling with the latter part of the season. Their match against Newcastle Jets will be a challenge
with both teams, but judging from experience, the Jets will need much more help.
Newcastle’s record at Central Coast is dreadful, with just one win in 15 trips to the Mariners. The other 14 have seen seven losses and as many draws.
The Mariners have an impressive win this week in the ACL and will be playing home again minimising the fatigue.
The Wanderers managed to break their losing streak where it counted this week in the ACL, but have to battle travel fatigue when they come up against
Adelaide United at home.
The squad will arrive back from China on Friday morning giving them just over 24 hours to prepare for what is a crucial clash with the Reds. Coach Tony Popovic left the likes of Ante Covic, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Matthew Spiranovic, Shinji Ono, Tomi Juric and Brendon Santalab at home and will be able to freshen up his side for Saturday’s match.
Adelaide struggled last week to beat Brisbane Roar, and despite being name title contenders last week, there isn’t much separating their performances with the likes of those around them on the ladder.
A win would see them close the gap to the Wanderers to just one point heading into the final month of the season.
Melbourne Heart have faltered last week despite an amazing winning streak since January.
They go up against Wellington Phoenix in a kind fixture that might get heart back on the winning run.
Melbourne Heart are six points outside the top six with 15 points left to play for. But lose this one and their hopes of an unlikely playoff campaign will recede substantially.
