This Sunday is the final round of the Liberty A-League season and with one game remaining, the Sky Blues have the potential to create history and win a fourth consecutive Premiers Plate.
This has never been done in the A-Leagues Men or Women.
Having lost 1-0 in Canberra on Wednesday afternoon, the winner of the Premiership has come down to the final day and will either go to Melbourne City or Sydney FC. Sydney FC take on Melbourne Victory at Leichhardt Oval at 4pm on Sunday, while Perth Glory host Melbourne City at 6pm AEDT also on the Sunday.
Here is how the situation will play out based on all possible results at Leichhardt Oval
Sydney FC beat Melbourne Victory
Being one point ahead of Melbourne City, a win for Sydney FC in the Big Blue will see them crowned Premiers regardless of the result in Perth. This would put them four points ahead of City, taking them to a total of 42 points. The maximum that Melbourne City can reach is 41.
Sydney FC draw with Melbourne Victory
Should the Sky Blues draw with Melbourne Victory, they will then have to wait until the conclusion of the Perth v Melbourne City match to learn their fate. They will move to 40 points, requiring City to beat Perth if they want to finish on top with their maximum points being 41. A draw is not enough for Melbourne City in this situation.
Sydney FC lose to Melbourne Victory
Should Sydney FC fail to pick up any points against Melbourne Victory, they will not be dead and buried. It does rely on a result in Perth however and this is where it gets confusing.
If Perth win, Sydney FC are crowned Premiers. If Melbourne City win, they will be crowned Premiers.
Should Melbourne City draw against Perth, it would see both teams move level on points with 39 each. It then falls to the tie breakers.
First tie breaker is wins, of which both would be on 11. It then moves to the next tie-breaker which is goal difference of which the Sky Blues currently sit +5 more goals (+15) than Melbourne City (+10). However, if the goal difference after both games is even, it moves to the next tie breaker which is goals scored. Melbourne City have scored 38 goals to the Sky Blues’ 31 (as it stands), which would see Melbourne City crowned Premiers in this situation.
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There is also plenty on the line apart from the top spot with Melbourne Victory fighting for finals football with a loss potentially seeing them drop out of the top six should Newcastle beat Adelaide on Friday afternoon.
This Sunday will come down to the wire and you don’t want to miss a minute of the action.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory
Liberty A-League Round 22
Sunday 31st March 2024
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney, NSW
Kick Off: 4:00pm AEDT
Gates Open: 3:00pm AEDT
Broadcast Live: Paramount+ & 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
Matchday Parter: Sydney FC Foundation
