After numerous disruptions, we are finally closing in on the end of one of the most trying seasons of A-League football to date.
We’ve got five matches on the cards this long weekend as the finals picture moves closer to crystalising with teams battling for their postseason lives.
Melbourne Victory will be pulling double duty this weekend as they continue to catch up on their games in hand with trips to Campbelltown on Friday night and Redcliffe on Monday afternoon.
Read on for our A-League Men’s tips and previews for every game.
While the premiers’ plate may be out of reach for Melbourne Victory, they will still be holding out hope of catching one of their Victorian rivals and sliding into the top two.
Macarthur on the other hand just needs to keep accumulating points with a finals berth far from guaranteed based on their current tally.
Having dropped two of their last three, Macarthur cannot afford anything less than a win here, however it is shaping up as a tough assignment with the Victory on an 11 match domestic unbeaten run that includes four wins from their last five.
A resolute defence that has conceded just one goal since the start of April is giving this side the hallmarks of a classic Tony Popovic side and guiding their run of success.
On their day Macarthur has the firepower to trouble the Victory but with Popovic’s side in such strong form, you have to back them to win.
While both of these clubs will technically be in the mix for a finals spot when this game kicks off, their chances could be described as hopeful rather than realistic.
Not that any of that matters with local bragging rights going on the line in the Hunter for the second time this season.
Aside from a bad day at the office against Sydney FC, the Mariners strike force has been in fine form of late, scoring at least two goals in six of their last seven outings.
The Jets can also score for fun with their open style of play and a lineup lead by Georgian marksman Beka Mikeltadze.
Central Coast is a good value option in the match result market, especially as underdogs but with both clubs struggling with consistency, I’ll look for value in the total goals markets instead.
It’s a bit of an understatement to say that Wellington’s return home to the Cake Tin last week was a bit of a letdown, but they’ll have a second chance this week when they head to Eden Park to take on Western Sydney.
The Wanderers shot out of the blocks in their 3-2 midweek win over Newcastle but will start as underdogs due to the short turnaround.
While that win extended their unbeaten run to three games and kept their very faint finals hopes alive, the fact they let the Jets back into the game late on should make punters nervous.
What has remained consistent for both of these teams all season is the fact that their games tend to include plenty of goals so I’ll lean into the over for this match.
The season cannot end soon enough for the Glory whose depleted squad continues to limp to the finish line, and anything less than a win here could consign them to the wooden spoon.
The Reds need to keep winning and cannot afford to go easy on their undermanned opponents so don’t be at all surprised if they go for the jugular early.
Craig Goodwin’s run of inimitable form continues and he will be a popular goalscorer option however we’ll keep this play a bit more simple.
Perth has scored just once in their last four games and even that was a 69th minute consolation goal in a 6-1 defeat.
Take the Reds to win and keep a clean sheet.
13 days after the Roar frustrated the Victory in a scoreless draw at AAMI Park, they will look to play spoiler for Melbourne’s top-two hopes.
With the visitors backing up after a Friday night encounter against Macarthur, they could catch them out with a fast start, as they have done quite often when at home in Redcliffe.
Five of Brisbane’s six wins this season have come at home and will be able to play with a bit of freedom in this fixture knowing that finals are beyond their grasp.
With the short turnaround for the visitors combined with a 2:00pm local time kickoff, I actually like the Roar to run over a Victory side that has struggled to back up all season long.