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Mathematically, Sydney FC can still win the league. Realistically, it’s a battle for second place when they cross the ditch to take on Wellington Phoenix in the final round of the A-League season. Join The Roar from 3.00pm for live scores, updates and debate in our live blog.
After picking up just four points in four weeks, it’s been a dire few weeks for the Nix. Gone is the confident, attacking football that saw them in contention for the Premiers Plate at the beginning of April, replaced with a stuttering, predictable style that has been picked apart by the two sides ahead of them on the table.
While the come-from-behind win against the Mariners last week will have done wonders for his side’s confidence, Ernie Merrick will be looking for a vast improvement to the side that was beaten 3-nil the last time these two sides met.
On that occasion, Merrick had to do without his international stars Nathan Burns, Michael McGlinchey, Louis Fenton and Michael Boxall and Sydney were able to contain midfield danger man Rory Bonevacia. This time around, with his full compliment of players Merrick knows the game will be won and lost in the midfield and will be hoping Bonevacia can bounce back from his recent form slump.
After their last-start win against the Nix and with one of the league’s most potent midfielders, Milos Dimitrijevic, Sydney head into the clash as slight favourites.
Dimitrijevic has overcome a slow start to his A-League career to become one of the most dangerous midfielders in the league. His ability to deliver inch-perfect passes to Bernie Ibini and Chris Naumoff has plagued defences all season and you can expect more of the same this afternoon.
Incredibly Sydney are undefeated away from home this season and with Mickael Tavares and Nikola Petkovic expected to return from injury, the Sky Blues are well positioned to continue that record in the final round of the season.
It’s a simple equation: a win for either side guarantees a home final, while Sydney just need a draw to secure second place. To find out who will earn themselves a week off in the first week of the finals, join The Roar from 3.00pm (AEST) for live scores, updates and debate in our live blog.
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