It’s the grand final we’ve been expecting since Christmas: Sydney FC versus Melbourne Victory. But who’s going to take home the golden toilet seat on Sunday? Our final edition of A-League expert tips and predictions has you covered.
Last week was free of any upsets, with the Sky Blues and Victory both comfortably progressing to the season-decider. That saw most of us nab two from two in our tipping, with only Matt and The Crowd erring by tipping Brisbane.
As such, I’ve locked up first position for the season thanks to a two-point buffer over Vas (71). Next up in equal third we have Mike and The Crowd (66), while Janek (62) and Matt (61) have finished back of the pack with one game left.
Of course, that one game left promises to be a ripper; two rivals (and the two best teams all season long) in Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory going head-to-head for the championship.
As always, be sure to lend your voice to The Crowd in the form below to help every Roarer out-tip the experts. Voting closes at midday (AEST) on Sunday, so make sure you check back after then to see the final results.
So, for the final time this season, let’s get on to the tips!
Besart Berisha and Filip Holosko. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)
Sydney FC
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Sydney. So it all comes down to this. Can Sydney FC handle the pressure? Or will Melbourne Victory spring an upset? The Sky Blues have been the better team all season, beating the Victory three times during the premiership campaign, but a grand final is a different matter altogether.
Expect a tight, tense tussle at a packed Allianz Stadium – with Sydney FC set to narrowly prevail.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Sydney. What a match this promises to be! Sydney have had the wood on Victory all season, but the boys from Melbourne do have the 2015 grand final thrashing to look back on.
But the Sky Blues are at home, they were clinical against Perth and for me, there’s only one winner: Sydney FC.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Sydney. It’s hard to go past the Sky Blues here. With a stronger defence Sydney should be able to hold off Victory’s dangerous attack enough to give their own potent strike force the opportunity to outscore their opponents.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC. After the season they’ve had, what rationale could be used to deny Sydney FC their third championship? Seventeen points separated the Sky Blues from Melbourne Victory in the regular season, and to compound their claim further, Sydney FC won all three fixtures against their rivals by a combined scoreline of 5-2.
Milos Ninkovic celebrates for Sydney FC. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)
From a Victory perspective, that would be evidence enough that they can spring a surprise, having breached Sydney’s goal twice – Besart Berisha’s work will be key to this. Unburdened by expectation, Victory will have licence to throw all caution out, and such an approach may serve them well as long as their defensive duties aren’t neglected.
Sydney FC’s key men have been from one through to 11, clearly evidenced that only one of their players, striker Bobô, figures in the top ten goalscorers chart. The foundation of what would be their most convincing title would come via their defence, conceding only 12 times in 28 games.
The other factor is the state of the pitch – something already bemoaned by the visitors. With a Super Rugby game taking place less than 24 hours before kickoff, possession and pinpointing passes may be hard to execute.
Yet trying to find any reason to deny Sydney FC seems futile, other than the mere schadenfreude all Melburnians would glean should they upstage the best team this season on the biggest day yet.
Sydney FC to win, but Melbourne Victory will have a surprise up their sleeve.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory
Sydney. The finals have been largely devoid of any surprises so far, and I can’t see anything to suggest that’s going to change this weekend.
The Sky Blues have been the best side this season by some distance, and it’s hard to see them not putting in another clinical display on Sunday. Their defence is more than stout enough to keep the Victory at bay, while their attacking quartet of Bobo, Alex Brosque, Filip Holosko and – most importantly – Milos Ninkovic have the class to open up their opponents.
The Victory are good enough to keep this game a close one, particularly with grand final specialist Besart Berisha leading the line, but Sydney should win a tight contest.
| Grand Final | Mike | Matt | Janek | Vas | Daniel | The Crowd |
| SYD v MVC | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD | SYD |
| Last week | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 66 | 61 | 62 | 71 | 73 | 66 |
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