The Roar's A-League Men tips and predictions: Round 26 - the jostle for finals positions is on in earnest
Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Sydney FC may be on the cusp of securing a finals spot but coach Frank Farina admits he’s no closer to determining his future at the A-League club.
The sixth-placed Sky Blues have their fate in their own hands in the battle for the top six and, should the seventh-placed Newcastle Jets fail to beat Melbourne Victory on Saturday, will guarantee a finals berth with a win over Wellington at Allianz Stadium a day later.
But it’s been reported Farina’s contract will not be renewed if Sydney don’t finish in the top four.
And he acknowledged on Thursday that, while he has begun rebuilding the squad for next season, the club have yet to advise him if he’ll be there to coach them.
“That will be determined at the end of the season,” he said.
“We’re going to do everything we can to get into the finals and we’ll go from there.
“We’ve been planning in terms of player recruitment and that hasn’t stopped.
“We’ve signed Nikola (Petkovic) and Sasa (Ognenovski) who I think are very important going forward and we’ve still got 10 spots to fill.
“But the focus for everyone within the club is what’s coming up, that’s what’s most important.”
At the end of last season Sydney were left hoping other results would go their way and were only denied a place in the finals on goal difference.
This season however, Farina says he’s happy their destiny is in their own hands with victory in their last two games against the Phoenix and Perth guaranteed to secure a finals berth.
The Jets are just one point behind Sydney.
The Phoenix sit five spots adrift of Sydney in eighth place and need to win both of their final matches to make the playoffs.
Farina said his side will be treating Sunday’s match just like a finals game.
“Wellington will be disappointed they didn’t get three points last week,” he said.
“They’re still in the mix and they’ll be coming here to get three points.”
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
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