Sydney FC, Canberra United and Perth Glory are each guaranteed a top four finish, and each also have a chance of finishing on top of the final ladder and therefore becoming Premiers.
The remaining top four team will come from Friday’s Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City FC match. A win for Newcastle will guarantee the Jets fourth position on the final ladder. A draw or win to Melbourne City FC will see the Melbourne side finish in the top four. Melbourne City FC can finish as high as second.
For SYDNEY FC to finish as Premiers they need to:
– defeat Adelaide United on Sunday; OR
– draw against Adelaide United and rely on Canberra United not defeating Melbourne Victory (by any margin) and Perth Glory not defeating Western Sydney Wanderers by a winning margin that would better Sydney FC’s goals for and against record. Currently Sydney FC have a 6 goal better goal difference than Perth Glory.
Sydney FC could also finish as Premiers even if they lose against Adelaide, provided neither Canberra nor Perth win their final round matches.
For CANBERRA UNITED to finish as Premiers they need to defeat Melbourne Victory on Saturday and rely on Sydney FC to lose or draw to Adelaide United, and Perth not to defeat Western Sydney by a winning margin that would better Canberra United’s goals for and against record. Going into the final round, Canberra’s for/against record stands at 28/20 (+8) compared to Perth’s 21/18 (+3).
For PERTH GLORY to finish as Premiers they need to defeat Western Sydney Wanderers on Sunday and rely on the following scenarios:
– Canberra to draw or lose to Melbourne Victory, and Sydney FC to lose to Adelaide United; OR
– Canberra to draw or lose to Melbourne Victory, and Sydney FC to draw against Adelaide United provided Perth finish with a better goals for and against record.
Perth could also finish as Premiers with a Canberra win provided Sydney FC lose and Perth finish with a better goals for and against record to Canberra.
Going into the final round, Perth’s for/against record stands at 21/18 (+3) compared to Sydney’s 20/11 (+9) and Canberra’s 28/20 (+8).
The top teams will earn hosting right for the semi-finals.
FINALS FORMAT
Semi Finals
4–5 February 2017
1st-placed team v 4th-placed team (A)
2nd-placed team v 3rd-placed team (B)
Grand Final
12 February 2017
Winner Semi Final A v Winner Semi Final B