It’s become one of the most tightly contested battles for the A-League Premier’s Plate and Kenny Lowe, coach of frontrunners Perth, says Melbourne Victory look the goods to win it.
After a 1-1 draw with Victory the Glory now lead the way after 17 of 20 rounds.
But it’s turned in to a five-way tussle to the top with only four points separating Perth from fifth-placed Adelaide in what’s a very congested top half of the ladder.
Wellington Phoenix are now nipping at Glory’s heels just a point behind after defeating the Reds 2-0 on Saturday while Sydney FC’s hot-streak leaves them just a further point back after their 1-0 win over Newcastle on Friday.
Victory could have taken top-spot if they beat Glory, but instead sit in fourth, a point behind Sydney.
Adelaide round out the top five.
Victory have yet to defeat Perth in four encounters this season, posting two losses and two draws, but Lowe insists Kevin Muscat’s side are still real contenders.
“We’ve played them a few times now and they haven’t beaten us but I think they’re the best side in the comp,” he said.
Not many would have picked Perth to still be on top with only seven games remaining, especially having not won in their last seven games.
But Lowe is all too aware it’s something that can change very quickly.
“I know we haven’t won in seven but everyone else still below us,” he said.
“It’s a topsy-turvey league, everybody’s getting turned over. It’s nearing the end of the season and there’s a bit of pressure now.
“So what does it say about us staying there for 17 weeks and teams having the opportunity to knock us off but don’t take it?
“Some people might look at that but we’re not bothered where we are now.”
Look further down the table and things are just as intense with Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City fighting it out for sixth-place.
Central Coast are also an outside chance to snatch the last play-off spot.
After beating last-placed Western Sydney 1-0 on Sunday, the Roar now sit in sixth, one point ahead of City, and with a game in hand.
The Mariners have kept their slim hopes alive after a 1-0 victory over City on Sunday.
Bondy
Guest
langou Keogh's appeal for a handball late was a handball, score lines can be deceptive ,it looked like a great atmosphere there too.... Either way now the Glory have to come out and fight for the full three points everywhere they have too if they want the Premiership.
langou
Roar Guru
Its going to be massive few weeks and then an amazing finals series
Uncle Junior
Guest
Perth have lost the same number of matches as Sydney and Victory. If Perth are damned hard to beat, then the results indicate Victory and Sydney are equally hard to beat. In fact, the only thing separating Perth and Sydney is Perth have won one more match, which Sydney drew. The only think separating Perth and Victory is 1 win and Victory has that 1 game in hand. Of course there's also significant goal difference that means Perth won't want to finish on equal points with Victory or Wellington.
Waz
Guest
Nice try Kenny, this is the opposite strategy of his "we've got to be taken seriously as title contenders now" after they'd beaten Victory 8 games ago :) it's hard to pick a "best" side at the moment because the entire top 5 are just so inconsistent - force me to pick and its Perth because they are so damned hard to beat and they are just clinging to top spot and Sydney purely because they're coming in to form. Like many though I think you could as easily draw lots on the top 5 for champions as let them play out the contest. Fascinating few weeks coming up :)
langou
Roar Guru
Perth and Wellington, top and second at the moment. We got a bit lucky with the draw this year, playing Wellington away only once this year and that was round one. If it was the other way around, perhaps they would be top.
Ian
Guest
Looking at the fixtures remaining I consider Perth have a easier draw out of all the top 5. Considering Perth to their detriment have not won since the Asian Cup break they remain on top - having played one more game than MV so MV are in a good position to grab first place on goal differential if things remain the same. Hoping Brisbane steps up a notch to actually playing consistent football despite the points we have acquired since the A-League resumed.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Have no affiliation with either team but Saturday night at AAMI Park was one heck of an event. If only every ALeague game was like that haha but then I guess we wouldn't appreciate nights like that as much.
Bondy
Guest
The seasons really heating up now, will the Wellington Phoenix get on a roll and runaway with the title ?, or what is the AFC going to do with them if they hit Asian qualification...
Franko
Guest
“We’ve played them a few times now and they haven’t beaten us but I think they’re the best side in the comp,” - Not a lot of logic in that sentence. We can flip a coin on the top 5 at the moment. Perth at home to Wellington this coming weekend, surely the Nix won't take the points there........