Hyundai A-League | End of Season Predictions

With six rounds remaining of another great Hyundai A-League season it's a great time to use our Ladder Predictor to determine where the teams will sit come the Final Series. We've previewed and predicted where we think each team will sit come Finals Series, why not try it out for yourself and see if your results agree with ours?

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS
Current Position – 1st P20 W12 D4 L4 40
Remaining fixtures – Wellington (H)-Win, Gold Coast (A) *-Win, Melbourne Heart (A)-Draw, Sydney FC (H) - Win, Perth Glory (A)- Loss, Adelaide (H)-Win, Wellington (A)- Draw.

With consecutive defeats against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory there has been talk of a late season collapse for Graham Arnold’s team, which the Mariners boss quickly downplayed. It is too early to push the panic button on the leaders considering their latest slip-up? Probably. Expect Central Coast to win their remaining home games, while also picking up maximum points away to Gold Coast.
Prediction – 1st P27 W16 D6 L5 54


BRISBANE ROAR
Current Position – 2rd P21 W10 D5 L6 35
Remaining Fixtures – Melb Victory (H)- Win, Perth Glory (A)- Draw, Melb Heart (H)-Win, Adelaide (H)-Win, Newcastle (A)- Draw, Gold Coast (A)- Win.

Barring their slip up against Newcastle a couple of weeks ago, the Roar are starting to seem like the team of last season as they peak at just the right time. They'll fancy their chances at home against both Victorian clubs, while an away fixture against Gold Coast seems like a certain three points.
Prediction – 2nd P27 W14 D7 L6 49


WELLINGTON PHOENIX
Current Position – 3rd P21 W10 D3 L8 33
Remaining Fixtures – Central Coast (A)- Loss, Sydney (A)- Draw, Gold Coast (H)- Win, Melb Heart (A) - Loss, Melb Victory (A) - Loss, Central Coast (H)- Draw.

Possibly the toughest run for any side with four fixtures away from Westpac Stadium. Fortunately this season the Kiwis have learned how to win away from home and have done so consecutively. However should the Phoenix of old turn up on Australian shores it will be no surprise if we see the yellow and black miss out on finals football (albeit unlikely).
Prediction – 4th P27 W11 D5 L11 38


PERTH GLORY
Current Position – 4th P21 W9 D4 L8 31
Remaining Fxtures – Newcastle (H)- Win, Brisbane (H)- Draw, Adelaide (A)- Draw, Central Coast (H)- Draw, Gold Coast (A)- Win, Melb Victory (H)- Win.

After a run of poor results, the Glory went on an impressive eight game unbeaten streak, ended this past week at the hands of Sydney. Despite the hiccup, Perth will make the finals and are expected to pick up points in the remaining fixtures. Expect the run to continue well into the Finals Series.
Prediction – 3rd P27 W12 D7 L8 43


NEWCASTLE JETS
Current Position - 5th P21 W8 D4 L9 28
Remaining Fixtures – Perth (A)- Loss, Adelaide (H)- Win, Melb Victory (A)- Loss, Gold Coast (H)- Win, Brisbane (H) - Draw, Sydney (A)- Loss.

With victories over Brisbane and Sydney respectively, Newcastle have climbed to fifth on the A-League ladder after a mid-season crisis where coach Gary Van Egmond was under severe pressure. The players have responded well and they're starting to pick up vital points. Their away form will be crucial.
Prediction - 5th P27 W10 D5 L12 35


MELBOURNE HEART 
Current Position - 6th P21 W7 D6 L8 27
Remaining Fixtures – Gold Coast (H)- Win, Central Coast (H)- Draw, Brisbane (A)- Loss, Wellington (A) - Loss, Sydney (H) - Win, Adelaide (A)- Draw.

Have not picked up a win in their last eight games, a huge cause for concern for coach Vant Schip. Injuries to key players Fred and Matt Thompson gives Vant Schip further headaches while Aziz Behich, Jason Hoffman and Mate Dugandzic have all missed games recently due to Olyroos duties. They are in a tough position, although should pick up enough points to just scrape into the top six. If key players stay fit they may make a run for it in the finals.
Prediction – 6th P27 W9 D8 L10 35


SYDNEY FC 
Current Position - 7th P21 W7 D6 L8 27
Remaining Fixtures - Adelaide (A) - Loss, Wellington (H)- Draw, Central Coast (A)- Loss, Melbourne Victory (H)- Draw, Melbourne Heart (A)- Loss, Newcastle (H)- Win.

Prior to the win over Perth, the Sky Blues have only managed two wins at the Sydney Football Stadium, both victories over last placed Gold Coast United. It goes to show how disastrous Sydney have been at home this season, something you cannot afford to be if you wish to be anywhere close to Champions. That said the win over Perth has come at the right time.
Prediction - 8th P27 W8 D8 L11 32


MELBOURNE VICTORY 
Current Position - 8th P21 W5 D10 L6 25
Remaining Fixtures – Brisbane (A)- Loss, Gold Coast (A)- Win, Newcastle (H)- Win, Sydney (A)- Draw, Wellington (H) -Win, Perth (A)- Loss.

Following five games without a win, Jim Magilton finally tasted A-League victory defeating leaders Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park over the weekend. A few tricky ties lie ahead for the Irishman meaning his team won't make the finals. Victory have enough experience and depth to potentially make the Grand Final, but perhaps not this year.
Prediction – 7th P27 W8 D11 L8 35


ADELAIDE UNITED
Current Position - 9th P21 W5 D8 L8 23
Remaining Fixtures – Sydney (H)- Win, Newcastle (A)- Loss, Perth (H)- Draw, Brisbane (A)- Loss, Central Coast (A)- Loss, Melb Heart (H)- Draw.

The honeymoon is over for John Kosmina. After taking over the hot seat from Rini Coolen, Kosmina enjoyed a great start to his tenure however it has all gone horribly wrong in recent weeks. They can technically still make the finals, and will definitely be in contention if they defeat Sydney this week. However with Asian Champions League football also in town it will be hard for Adelaide to stay fully focused for the remainder of the season.
Prediction – 9th P21 W6 D10 L11 28


GOLD COAST UNITED
Current Position - 10th P20 W3 D6 L11 15
Remaining Fixtures – Melb Heart (A) - Loss, Central Coast (H)- Loss, Melb Victory (H)- Loss, Wellington (A)- Loss, Newcastle (A)- Loss, Perth (H)- Loss, Brisbane (H) - Loss.

After the Sunday loss to Adelaide, Gold Coast are now eight points adrift of ninth spot and a further twelve points from the last Finals Series position. It was always going to be a tough season for Miron Bleiberg and it indeed turned out that way. Bleiberg has done well with the players at his disposal and during the off-season must ensure that the younger players such as James Brown and Ben Halloran stay put for at least another year. Don’t expect United to pick up any further points.
Prediction – 10th P27 W3 D6 L18 15


Whilst these results may not eventuate, what we do know is that we are in for a scintillating finish to this Hyundai A-League season. With six rounds remaining we are in for a tense finale to this year's A-League saga as tears will be shed, hearts will be broken and a Champion will be crowned.

Think you have the magic touch? Try out the Hyundai A-League Ladder Predictor for yourself.