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.
Inflicting some payback for a rare defeat will be on Sydney’s minds when the A-League pacesetters host Central Coast on Saturday.
The Sky Blues lead the competition by six points following Sunday’s 0-0 away draw with a youthful and understrength Adelaide United.
Sydney’s attention now turns to the Mariners, who beat them 2-0 in Gosford back in November.
“They’re the only team to have beaten us this year, so we definitely owe them one,” Sydney captain and forward Alex Brosque said on Monday
“We remember the loss up there and the way they reacted to that win.
“There’s a little bit burning in there from that last game for us.”
Sunday’s game in Adelaide was the first time in their past 11 matches since the loss to the Mariners, that Sydney went goalless.
They had scored 23 goals in their six games prior to being held in Adelaide.
“We threw everything at them, we had a lot of chances,” Brosque said.
“Enough chances to do what we’ve done in the last few games, which is get three, four, five goals, but It just didn’t come.
While second-placed Newcastle moved a couple of points closer after the last round, Sydney are still setting a blistering pace with 39 points from 16 games.
“This time last year everyone was raving about how good we were going and we’re only one point off where we were last year,” Brosque said.
“We’re still going great. We’re on target to do what we want to do which is win the Premiership.
“We’ve got the rest of the league chasing us which is a good spot to be in.”
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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.
Central Coast Mariners' star striker Angel Torres has been stood down from playing in the A-League Men after he was charged with sexual assault. …
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The Mariners must deal with possibly their toughest challenge yet - Kyrgyzstan’s FK Abdysh-Ata Kant in the first leg of the semifinal.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.