Central Coast Mariners - 45 Points
Brisbane Roar FC - 43 Points
Perth Glory FC - 40 Points
Wellington Phoenix FC - 40 Points
Melbourne Heart FC - 35 Points
Newcastle Jets FC - 35 Points
Sydney FC - 34 Points
Melbourne Victory FC - 26 Points
Adelaide United FC - 24 Points
Gold Coast United FC - 18 Points
Now let's have a look at a breakdown. Ohhh yeeeeah.
Central Coast Mariners
Position - 1st
Highest Possible Finish - 1st
Lowest Possible Finish - 4th
Last 5 Matches - LDLDW
Final Matches - Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix
Prediction
Central Coast started the season slowly, picking up points quietly while Brisbane took all the plaudits. As soon as Roar began to stutter, the Mariners were right in there to take their spot. However, recently there form has been a shambles, their win against Phoenix in February being their most recent victory. They face a stubborn Adelaide who, though only playing for pride, managed to hold rivals Brisbane to a draw last time out. They will then face Phoenix, who have their own title ambitions. While a draw will all but end Perth and Phoenix's challenge, it will let in Roar who have a superior goal difference. I think it will most likely be a Central Coast premiership win, but the finals will be a different story. My final prediction is that the Mariners will finish First.
Brisbane Roar
Position - 2nd
Highest Possible Finish - 1st
Lowest Possible Finish - 4th
Last 5 Matches - DDWWW
Final Matches - Newcastle Jets, Gold Coast United
Prediction
The golden boys of Australian sport fell apart mid-season, and that has cost them. Even if they managed to get one or two points rather than those losses, they would quite likely be in the lead right now. There is no point dwelling on what-ifs, and they have gone about the business of catching up with the Mariners and fending off advances from Perth, Wellington and Heart. They'll be playing a Jets team who are going to be desparate for points to guarentee their finals place, whereas the challenge from Gold Coast...is a hard one to call. It's a derby match, so anything is possible, but Gold Coast are wounded from months of turbulence. However, they did manage to draw 3-3 with the Mariners. I really can't call the match. But I think that Brisbane will most likely finish Second, though I do hope they manage to draw level with the Mariners this weekend and give us a cracker of a final matchday.
Perth Glory
Position - 3rd
Highest Possible Finish - 1st
Lowest Possible Finish - 5th
Last 5 Matches - WWLWL
Final Matches - Gold Coast United, Melbourne Victory
Prediction
These guys really went on one hell of a run, didn't they? It's a shame they petered out, I genuinely thought they would be the dark horse of the competition. They still are, don't get me wrong. Gold Coast, no disrespect intended, are very beatable, as are a struggling Melbourne Victory. Yes, a first A-League title will require other results to go their way (namely Central Coast and Brisbane both need to lose). A Central Coast draw would leave them in a position in which they could potentially catch up, but an inferior goal difference means they would need some convincing victories to have a chance. While Perth are in essentially the same position as Phoenix (up to the same Goal Difference), in view of their considerably easier game against Gold Coast, I think Perth will most likely finish...Third.
Wellington Phoenix
Position - 4th
Highest Possible Finish - 1st
Lowest Possible Finish - 5th
Last 5 Matches - DWWLL
Final Matches - Melbourne Victory, Central Coast Mariners
Prediction
I like Phoenix. They came from the ashes of the Knightz, and this season they've really blossomed. Against all expectation, they've surprised us time and again, and it's just a shame they couldn't keep up their good run. While they can technically win the league, I really wouldn't count on it. Too many other results have to go their way to make it happen. They are more likely to be the spoilers. If they can hold the Mariners to a draw, it will allow Brisbane to jump in and retain their title. But for my money, they have a much better chance of winning the finals. They just need to decide whether to give it all for these last two games, or just try and save their energy. With this in mind, I wouldn't be surprised to see them finish Fourth.
Melbourne Heart
Position - 5th
Highest Possible Finish - 3rd
Lowest Possible Finish - 7th
Last 5 Matches - DDWWL
Final Matches - Sydney FC, Adelaide United
Prediction
Heart had their own run of form...I'm starting to notice a trend...Anyway, Eli Babalj and Fred have been fantastic for them. They have single-handedly dragged Heart kicking and screaming to their finals place. However, it's not over yet. Sydney FC, who are only 1 point behind, are up next. This is going to be their deciding match for the season. It's all or nothing. They have to win it to guarentee them a spot. Adelaide shouldn't be too much of a trouble, but that doesn't mean they're through yet. I think they'll manage to at least draw with Sydney and Adelaide, and I think they'll finish Fifth. This table really doesn't look like it will shift.
Newcastle Jets
Position - 6th
Highest Possible Finish - 3rd
Lowest Possible Finish - 7th
Last 5 Matches - DWWLW
Final Matches - Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC
Prediction
After all the stick I gave the Jets at the beginning of the season, they've really turned it around. They're finally starting to play like a team, which will serve them well if they make the playoffs. However, I don't think they will. I think Brisbane will beat them, and the Sydney match will most likely be a Sydney victory. Funny, Sydney - Newcastle was the first A-League match I ever watched. It'll be an important one this time. I don't think they'll make it, though. Next season, expect to see a more determined side. They'll finish Seventh
Sydney FC
Position - 7th
Highest Possible Finish - 3rd
Lowest Possible Finish - 7th
Last 5 Matches - WDLWW
Final Matches - Melbourne Heart, Newcastle Jets
Prediction
What a season they've had. Disappointment, mainly. They were expected to do well, but Brett Emerton, while playing well on his own, has failed to ignite a spark in the rest of the side, and they're now scrambling for a finals spot. They play both of the teams ahead of them, that's what makes this so juicy. I don't know which of them they'll beat, but I'm sure they'll get at least 3 points from these two games. I have a feeling they'll beat Newcastle, and perhaps draw with Melbourne. So based on this, I reckon they'll finish Sixth. Not good enough for their fans, but it'll at least give them a chance in the finals.
Melbourne Victory
Position - 8th
Highest Possible Finish - 8th
Lowest Possible Finish - 9th
Last 5 Matches - LLDLW
Final Matches - Wellington Phoenix, Perth Glory
Prediction
Well, well, well. I guess now we're getting onto the Also-rans. Actually, that's a bit cruel, but they have completely failed this season. Has the Harry Kewell experiment failed? No. He has played well towards the end of the season, it's just down to whether he will still be there next season, or if he'll move elsewhere in the A-League, or even abroad. Either way, I feel Magilton needs to go. Yes, he inherited a poorly constructed squad, but he just hasn't been able to galvanise them. They'll lose to Phoenix and Glory, but since Adelaide most likely won't pick up the 2 point deficit, they'll finish Eighth.
Adelaide United
Position - 9th
Highest Possible Finish - 8th
Lowest Possible Finish - 10th
Last 5 Matches - DLLLW
Final Matches - Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart
Prediction
Adelaide...they changed bosses, and had a rejuvenation, but despite playing well, they just couldn't get the victories. As much as it pains me to say it, I can't see them picking up the points to overtake the Victory. Both the teams they'll be playing have something to play for (Premiership and finals). As long as they can hold onto Sergio Van Dijk, they should be OK next season. But they'll finish Ninth this time.
Gold Coast United
Position - 10th
Highest Possible Finish - 9th
Lowest Possible Finish - 10th
Last 5 Matches - DLDDL
Final Matches - Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar
Prediction
Tenth. It pains me to say it. Gold Coast have so many talented youngsters like Mitch Cooper and Ben Halloran, and they'll find new clubs easy. I just...I can't see GCU being around next year. Clive Palmer, while he has spoken some sense, has ruined the club. They have failed to engage with the community, and while there are some investors interested, I don't think we'll see much action at Skilled Park next season. More likely to see a Western Sydney or Canberra side. Shame.
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