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Opinion

A finals series is just what the A-League needs right now

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Roar Guru
10th March, 2020
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Sydney FC look set to win the minor premiership within the next few weeks, meaning A-League fans are turning their heads to the next biggest thing – the race for a place in the finals.

Currently, eight teams are mathematically a chance.

Club Matches Won Drawn Lost Scored Conceded Difference Points
Sydney FC 18 15 1 2 41 15 26 46
Melbourne City 20 11 3 6 36 29 7 36
Wellington 19 10 3 6 30 23 7 33
Perth 19 8 6 5 35 22 13 30
Brisbane 20 8 5 7 23 24 -1 29
Western United 20 8 3 9 34 28 6 27
Adelaide 20 9 0 11 34 39 -5 27
WSW 19 7 3 9 25 28 -3 24
Melboure Victory 20 5 5 10 24 32 -8 20
Newcastle 19 4 6 9 21 37 -16 18
Mariners 20 4 1 15 20 46 -26 13

Melbourne City is in second place with 36 points and 20 games played. Just three points behind and with one fewer game finished is Wellington Phoenix, followed by Perth Glory in fourth on 30 points, also with 19 games played.

This makes top-two spots and a home semi-final extremely close, with Wellington and City also tied on goal difference.

In fifth place are Brisbane Roar, who are just one point behind Glory but have played an extra game.

New boys Western United are sixth, on 27, but Adelaide United are level on points and only behind on goal difference, while Western Sydney Wanderers sit in eighth place, three points behind, but with one game in hand.

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The teams are an exciting and eclectic group too.

Adelaide are yet to draw a game this season, winning nine and losing 11, and have scored the fourth-most goals in the league while conceding the second most.

They are a hot or cold team: either very good or very bad.

Opponent Result Score
Western Win 4-3
Melbourne City Win 3-1
Brisbane Loss 1-2
Mariners Win 2-0
WSW Loss 2-5
Melbourne Victory Loss 1-2
Western Loss 1-5

That adds up to a combined score of 14- 16, meaning that an exhilarating 30 goals have been scored in their last seven games.

They are currently on a bad run of form, losing their last three games, and with their tricky schedule coming up they may not make it to the finals.

However, the fact there is this much suspense in the last six rounds – despite the minor premiership almost being wrapped up – shows Australian football’s finals series may be the thing that keeps the A-League in action.

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Despite Wellington not being eligible for the Asian Champions League, they will be pushing for the second-place spot, which would boost give them their first-ever home semi.

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There is a ray of hope for Melbourne Victory’s season, while the Wanderers, Adelaide, Western United and Brisbane are fighting for quarter-finals spots.

All you have to do is get into the top six to be a chance of winning the championsip and while the league may not be decided on the best of terms, it may be what the A-League needs right now.

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