It’s crunch time for Western United as they prepare for what is probably their most important game of their season – a win over Central Coast Mariners on Saturday will put them in pole position to record their first premiership in club history.

The Green and Black club has all to play for against the Gosford outfit in the biggest fixture of the A-League’s 26th round, with a win seeing them jump one point ahead of league leaders Melbourne City with only two games left.

Tonight Melbourne Victory took on Wellington Phoenix but the results were not available at the time or writing. Victory will have been looking to improve on their 13-match unbeaten run.

Victory was held to a 1-1 draw to Brisbane Roar on Anzac Day, severely reducing their chances of finishing first and making it their mission to go into the finals series as the most in-form team.

For the Phoenix a win against Victory would give them a footing in the top six.

Adelaide United hosts Brisbane Roar in a game which could confirm their place in the top six while Arthur Papas’ Newcastle side looks to down Macarthur FC, who is also fighting for finals football.

Perth Glory clashes with Western Sydney in a dead rubber contest, with both teams looking to earn some pride.

Western United travels to Central Coast on Saturday afternoon for what is probably their most important match of the season so far. It is the final game in hand for the Victorian club before they draw level with rivals Melbourne City, and it is imperative they maximise on this great opportunity to jump into first.

The Mariners have their own motivation as three points could help them secure the highly coveted last spot in the top six.

Western manager John Aloisi was impressed with their recent performances, but did not shy away from the gravity of their upcoming outing.

“Obviously the next game is the most important. That’s the Mariners away in 10 days’ time, so it gives us a bit of a break mentally and physically to prepare for that game,” Mr Aloisi said to media last week.

Adelaide competes with Brisbane on Saturday night as the Reds aim to lock a place in the finals series.

The South Australians have been in good form, winning three on the bounce, and they need only two more points to put themselves out of reach of the other clubs competing for top six.

Brisbane, with nothing to gain from this campaign, will be looking to spoil the party and cause an upset in front of the Adelaide crowd.

Perth Glory takes on Western Sydney and the two sides have only pride to fight for in a largely inconsequential contest.

The wooden spooners, Glory, have not won since February and are yet to earn three points in front of their home crowd, making this one of their last opportunities to give their fans something to cheer about after a dismal term.

The Wanderers are similarly with nothing to gain but their squad will likely be desperate to prove their worth as coach Mark Rudan assesses who he keeps on and who he lets go for next season.

Macarthur FC goes up against Newcastle Jets on Sunday afternoon in a must-win game for the Bulls’ finals ambitions.

The Campbelltown side needs all three points to keep alive in the top-six race, giving all the motivation they need to down the Jets.

The Novocastrians will be very keen to end their season on a high note after losing the past three games which diminished their hopes of securing a finals spot.

Jets veteran Jason Hoffman reaffirmed that their side is still motivated to perform, even with the top six being all but out of their reach.

“Finals is going to be very difficult but, whilst it’s still mathematically possible, we will go into every match giving the best performance we possibly can,” Hoffman said to media on Thursday.

This is the final weekend in which Melbourne City and Sydney FC will not feature due to the AFC Champions League group stages.

Round 26 fixtures

Melbourne Victory-Wellington Phoenix: 19.45, AAMI Park, Fri 29 Apr

CC Mariners-Western United: 16.05, Central Coast Stadium, Sat 30 Apr

Adelaide United-Brisbane Roar: 19.45, Coopers Stadium, Sat 30 Apr

Perth Glory-WS Wanderers: 19.45, HBF Park, Sat 30 Apr

Macarthur FC-Newcastle Jets: 16.05, Campbelltown Stadium, Sun 1 May