Super Saturday is back again! Last week we had a feast of football as Auckland FC and Sydney FC both squeezed into the semi-final stage, and we now have guaranteed excitement over two weekends as the A-League’s best team looks to wrap up their swashbuckling season in style. Do the Jets have what it takes up against a resilient, unbeaten Patrick Kisnorbo side who last lost in March in the corresponding fixture at Allianz Stadium on the eve of his appointment? Centre stage will first be taken by Auckland FC v Adelaide United, the Reds having forced their opponents to walk the tightrope of the elimination final that they only just survived. Two rocking stadiums for the second legs may prove the difference, but these first-leg ties could write a different script for next weekend.

Get amongst it! Saturday is football day.

We hope you’re enjoying The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions, here at its temporary home. Everyone is welcome here, and you can all comment and judge the tipsters’ selections as The Crowd increases its healthy margin of victory in the final few games of the 2025/26 season.

Stuart Thomas

Auckland, Newcastle

And so we reach the most competitive fortnight of the A-League finals. The two legged semi-finals that promise to bring plenty of action. At home, Auckland will take a one goal advantage away from the first leg and head to Adelaide, that will be a perfect set-up for the second match.

Sydney have gotten better throughout the course of the season and are currently proving very difficult to beat. The Jets have the weapons to do so and will take a lead back to Newcastle in the hope of sealing a spot in the decider next weekend.

Andrew Prentice

Auckland, Draw.

Sometimes the week off is a momentum-killer. Sometimes, it’s a godsend for a battered or tired squad. For Luka Jovanovic, it gave him an extra week to think about when it is appropriate to disrobe in ecstasy, which is not a couple of minutes after you receive a yellow card. Get a room, Luka! The striker’s absence in the first leg in Auckland swings the momentum ever so slightly towards the home side, who survived an epic against City last week at the same venue. The Black Knights will be keen to prove the point that THEY should have been the team coming second by getting the jump on Adelaide, though I think they’ll only be a one goal margin for them to take to Adelaide next weekend.

Saturday night’s game at the SFS pits the best attack in the league against the best defence. Sydney have looked resolute under Patrick Kisnorbo and were able to withstand the Victory attack last week and snatch a late winner through Patrick Wood. Whether they try the same smash-and-grab tactics at home against the Jets might well depend on Joe Lolley. An unused sub last week, you’d have to think that at some point in this first leg he’ll see game time. No lead is safe against Newcastle, who have made a habit of comebacks to go with their scoring prowess. I fancy Mark Milligan’s side will go for the win and settle for the draw, ensuring the second leg encounter will have everything to play for.

Texi Smith

Adelaide, Sydney

Auckland FC don’t look like the dominant force they once were. It’s as though the Corica effect is wearing off, much in the same way it did when he took over Graham Arnold’s super Sydney FC. They scraped through to the semi-finals after looking nailed-on for most of the season, surviving a penalty shoot-out against a valiant Melbourne City side here last weekend. They owe their semi-final opponents a dig in the ribs after the Reds sent them into that elimination final, and they set about dismantling their South Australian visitors from the opening whistle. Once again, the home team struggle to convert their possession into goals, Sam Cosgrove a non-playing character for most of the game, and as the contest enters the last fifteen minutes, there is genuine concern at the lack of goal action in Joshua Smits’ six-yard box. That anxiety creeps into the players and a crunching tackle by Ryan White catches the usually reliable Jake Girwood-Reich in possession and the ball rolls to substitute Craig Goodwin to sweep the ball home for a stunning upset in the first leg.

So, which idiot backed Sydney FC to get the win last week? PK will set his side up to grind out a result in the first leg of the semi-final at Allianz Stadium against the all-conquering Newcastle Jets. A meagre crowd at Moore Park will urge their team forward, but the brakes will definitely be on, possession valued more than penetration. It makes for an uneasy watch, Sydney thinking they know how to play out from the back, the Jets sniffing around for mistakes, and when Kosta Grozos fires home at the end of the first half, the tie looks to be going only one way. Sydney FC take off their civilian clothes and don their capes in an incredible second-half turnaround, a scintillating performance of attacking football bringing them level on the hour, and the Jets are completely helpless as Joe Lolley is thrown on for the final twenty minutes to play the ultimate decoy man, allowing Apostolos Stamatelopoulos to fire home a winner against his old club as the clock ticks towards the 90. An incredible save by Harrison Devenish-Meares preserves that slender lead, Eli Adams already wheeling away in celebration as the Sydney keeper tips a shot around the post in front of the visiting fans. It’s all set up for a thrilling second leg in Newy!

Look at that tipping ladder. The Crowd strides away to victory in first place, needing just one tip to secure the title, but the tipsters are locked together at this late stage of the season. Anything can happen, especially with those selections :

Again it’s only three clicks to register your tips for The Crowd. Make sure you help this year’s winners increase their lead over the hapless also-rans behind…

The Roar has been off air for months now. Is it safe to say it’s not coming back? What on earth could they be fighting over in court? Let’s finish the season with a flourish and fool ourselves into thinking we’re back on our favourite sports website with a comments bonanza. Unleash below…

The reward for making the top two of the A-League ladder is a week off, but that can be a poisoned chalice; any momentum built up is gone, although the extra seven days can help get players fit from their end of season fatigue and injuries. This Saturday sees two juicy games on the agenda, with out-of-form Auckland FC first up against Melbourne City, whose stellar run to the finals was finally blunted by Adelaide. Then the glamour Saturday night Big Blue at AAMI Park between old foes Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC takes centre-stage, the home team surely favourites to advance to the two-legged semi-finals next week.

Cancel all plans for Saturday.

The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions continues at its temporary home. We love to see you here, and we do notice that people still visit from The Roar after all this time! Keep reading to see what your genial tipsters tipped for the elimination finals – looks like at least one tipster has gone for broke, and the boxing gloves are on at Tips & Predictions HQ!

Stuart Thomas

Auckland, Victory

It promises to be an outstanding weekend of Elimination Finals in the A-League and the crashing and burning taking place at the top of the tipping ladder has me in stitches. Prentice should stick to wrestling and Smith has too much Sky Blue in his head. Here are the winners this weekend.

Auckland have been good all season and should confirm their credentials with a win against City on Saturday afternoon. The visitors have had little luck with injury this season, yet the home side will be better for longer and get the win to advance to the final four.

Victory have been an improving beast late in the season and a win will have them close to another decider. I think they beat Sydney FC in what will certainly be a fiery and classic encounter. Red cards, streakers, fights in the bleachers and a heavy police presence all assured.

Andrew Prentice

Auckland, Victory

The Black Knights will take to Mount Smart in a filthy mood, having safely nestled in the top two until literally the last seconds of the regular season. They’ll want to take that frustration out on a City side who inexplicably collapsed in injury time last week to let Adelaide sneak into second spot after a 97^th minute winner from Luka Jovanovic (who then did the maddest, dumbest thing ever to get himself red-carded – the goalkeepers’ union is taking out an injunction as they feel they’ve cornered the madness market). ANYWAY, Auckland to win here backed by a big home crowd and the attacking prowess of any number of options from May to Cosgrove (if fit).

An Elimination final Big Blue, a coach returning to the place he walked out of, the possible return of two very big names… if you like your play-off games with added spice then this one is the vindaloo of matches. While Patrick Kisnorbo has steadied a Sky Blue ship that was listing badly, they still haven’t look world-beaters as they scrapped and clawed their way to narrow, obstinate wins and draws. Rumours of a Joe Lolley return might lift that stock considerably but you’d hardly expect him to be fit for a full game. Juan Mata on the other hand (or elbow) is poised to return as the game conductor for the Victory. A crowd fired up by Evangeline the violinist should back the home side to a result fitting its name.

Texi Smith

Auckland, Sydney

Following their last-gasp equaliser in Sydney, and the denial of a VAR check on the final whistle, Auckland FC may feel aggrieved to have dropped out of the top two in the last round after dominating and then pursuing the Jets all the way this season. Melbourne City fluffed their lines late on against Adelaide United to finish in sixth, and that was a reality check ahead of the finals series. Roared on by a raucous home crowd at Mount Smart, Auckland set about dismantling their opponents with a display from the top drawer, Jesse Randall making a nuisance of himself from the opening minute. Their one-goal lead at half-time is scant reward for their dominance. City strike unexpectedly on the hour as Medin Mehmeti scores with his first touch after coming on as a sub, the Port watches on anxiously until a winner finally arrives from hit-man Guillermo May for the slenderest of wins for the home team.

Only a total fool would back Sydney FC at AAMI Park to get the job done. They have now proven under Patrick Kisnorbo that the same issues persist – a lack of a proven goalscorer, an absence of offensive thinking when in possession going forward, and players that are simply not up to the task. Melbourne Victory’s smash-and-grab win at Western Sydney Wanderers may though be a false positive – they were lacking ideas in that game and will struggle to compete against the dynamic midfield duo of Wataru Kamijo and Paul Okon-Engstler as the home crowd grows restless. A performance for the ages from captain Rhyan Grant sees him pop up all over the field, and he’s there to nod a deep corner back in for Jordan Courtney-Perkins to head home and send the Sydney FC fans into raptures. It’s all about defence from then on, Clarismario Santos shackled by Alexandar Popovic, and Harrison Devenish-Meares in Socceroos form. A single goal wins it, and Victory are cursing that their finals series is over before it really began.

All change in the tipping ladder. While The Crowd can still be caught in theory, it’s a light jog to the finsh line, while the also-rans jostle for position behind. Thomas and Prentice neck and neck, with Smith still in the hunt. Ooh it’s exciting :

Three clicks to register your tips for The Crowd. Click one, click two and submit. Don’t leave without putting your tips in…

The Roar is unlikely to be coming back. We have to get used to it, and we have to get past it. But we can pretend we’re still there by cooking up a comments frenzy ahead of Saturday’s two blockbuster fixtures; who knows we may be back next season if that’s what the public wants!

How typical that Newcastle Jets got to celebrate their A-League premiership plate on a day when they didn’t play, and how their arch-rivals the Central Coast Mariners must feel having handed them the title and then following it up by joining in the celebrations this weekend at McDonald Jones Stadium in the F3 derby. The top six is decided, but the Asian Champions League spot(s) are not, nor is the configuration of the upcoming finals. This is where the excitement comes for the final round, so get amongst it and get along to an A-League game this weekend.

Thank you for stopping by at The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions at its temporary home. Always a pleasure to have you here! The Crowd will soon be crowned as the rightful winners of the tipping competition, and it is thanks to you that the expert tipsters have been floundering behind. Keep reading to see what they think after weighing up this final round of the regular season.

Stuart Thomas

Macarthur, Newcastle, Victory, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide

It is something of a dud of a final round of tipping for the current season, with the top six decided and just positions to fight for at the top of the ladder. 

Macarthur and Wellington are out and the Bulls will at least end the campaign on the right note. The Jets are focused, whilst the Mariners are ready for a trip away. The result seems certain in the Hunter. Melbourne Victory could finish as high as third and must beat the Wanderers well to do so. They will. 

Perth Glory and Brisbane means nothing, and let’s face it, both have been a little disappointing after promising more earlier in the season. Perth to end things well and start yet another reboot to their roster. Sydney FC and Auckland is the blockbuster and the home side will win but not do enough to move past the visitors.

The final match of the round is the pick of the bunch in my view. City could fall to as low as sixth and the Reds can jump to second with a win and if things play out well for them. The visitors with three points and the Auckland v Sydney match to decide second as a result.

Andrew Prentice

Wellington, Newcastle, Victory, Perth, Sydney, City

Given the way the table was shaping just a few weeks ago, it’s a letdown that the main issues are resolved before the last round starts (a bit like skipping the post-coital cigarette in a noir film). There are however, some significant issues to settle within the top six. None of them will be on show in the Friday night dead rubber at Campbelltown, where the home team will be rueing a form dip some weeks back that resembled the Young Ones bus going over the cliff in the last episode. Wellington have looked a different side since their coaching change and should beat the dispirited home team.

Once again, the TV powers-that-be have reamed proper football fans by not having this match in the prime slot. Sure, there’s nothing to play for, but it’s an F3 derby and a chance for the Jets to celebrate a historic Premiers Plate triumph. They have looked a team under pressure in recent weeks and maybe with the pressure valve relieved (courtesy of their opponents on Saturday), they’ll return to their swashbuckling best. The Mariners won’t be whipping boys though. With everything the club overcomes, they are never to be written off. The Jets in a party.

Instead, the horrendous Wanderers get their umpteenth prime time slot for the visit of the Victory, who could rise as high as 4^th (with a lucrative home final as reward) if they beat the wooden spooners as expected. It’s no lie to say the A League needs a healthy, well-supported Wanderers, who so lit up the league over a decade ago that it seemed nothing would stand in the way of them becoming a mighty force. Perhaps the preparations for a revival have begun, but I can’t see it being enough to upset Victory on Saturday.

Perth are unbeaten in four. The Roar are winless in twelve. There’s nothing to suggest either of these streaks will change, except for the glimmer of Brisbane hope that their last win was at this venue against the Glory in January. Josh Risdon hangs ’em up after a stellar career – this should be motivation enough for a Perth win.

In a perfect world, THIS would be the game of the round, but Allianz Stadium hosts the traditional ANZAC Day NRL match on Saturday afternoon, so Sydney-Auckland is a Sunday game on a surface that will have been chewed up by rugby league less than 24 hours previously. Given the way Patrick Kisnorbo has set up the Sky Blues, this could suit them. Auckland blew a chance at the top spot with a loss to the Mariners and it might be a wholly unsatisfying homecoming for former FC coach Steve Corica. Another loss will see them tumble from a coveted top two position if Sydney win by 3 goals (or if Sydney and Adelaide both win) The 3 goals seems unlikely given a paucity of Sky Blue goals of late, but a win is on the cards for the home side.

That result would give Adelaide a boost before they take on City in the last game of the round. However, the reigning champions have found their form and will be looking to secure a home final after looking more likely to secure an ignominious lower table spot not long ago. Marcus Younis has become the most sought-after asset in A League fantasy teams in the last month, scoring for fun and running amok against opposition defences. Defence hasn’t been the Reds foundation stone this season and it might be the difference between the two sides as the curtain comes down on the home and away rounds.

Texi Smith

Macarthur, Newcastle, Western Sydney, Perth, Sydney, City

What an underwhelming way to start the final round; the spectre of the Darwin play-off roulette is no longer a thing, finishing 7^th or 9^th makes absolutely no difference and we were just fortunate this season that the wooden spoon and finals spots took so long to be decided. Macarthur could and should have got something in Adelaide last week, while Wellington Phoenix confirmed Wanderers’ unwanted prize in Christchurch. Without the suspended Alex Rufer, Wellington are all at sea in the first half in Campbelltown here, in front of a meagre crowd, Anthony Caceres with an early goal. When Phoenix are reduced to ten on the hour, there is only one winner, Harry Sawyer’s towering header in the dying stages putting some gloss on a tough watch in Sydney’s South West. The season is over for both of these teams and all the early-season promise never really looked like lasting the distance.

Denied the joy of winning the premiership on a game day, Newcastle Jets entertain Central Coast Mariners for a party at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Mariners did the job in Auckland, could they do it again against their old foes and neighbours and spoil the celebrations for the Asian Champions League elect. With finals football coming up, Newcastle will be keen to go into their enforced break with a win, and to extend their lead at the top to make it look like they did it easy. That first goal against Victory was how far offside in the build-up? An expectant home crowd grows impatient as the Mariners continually catch the Jets on the break, the game remaining goalless at half time but with plenty of action. The Mariners pour forward as the gaps start to appear, but it’s that man Ben Gibson who finds himself all alone in the box and fires home under Andrew Redmayne for the winning goal. Cue the celebrations.

Anzac Day at CommBank Stadium, Melbourne Victory are the only ones tonight who are up for the battle. Hosts Western Sydney Wanderers are a club in total disarray, as demonstrated by their fan forum earlier in the week, and the players have done nothing to suggest that things will change between now and next season. Ryan Fraser must be wondering what he walked into in Parramatta, scoring valuable goals early on and making it all look easy, but watching as it all crumbled around him in a team that is not even bang average. Tonight’s visitors have it all to play for in the quest for a home elimination final, but it somehow all goes wrong and Wanderers come up with one of those unlikely results as Bozhidar Kraev scores twice in the first half. The second half is as exciting a game as Wanderers have been part of this season, Victory drawing level late on only for Brandon Borrello to poke in the winner with the last kick of the game. A-League, eh?

Perth Glory take on Brisbane Roar at HBF Park on Saturday night. The early-season promise from the Roar gave way to a non-stop slide down the ladder, while Perth Glory took a while to get started, had us entertained for a brief period around Christmas and then fell away badly in the latter stages. A club that has such passionate fans, boasts a quality attack and has a maverick head coach deserves more and for long periods of this game, they look the goods without delivering anything resembling a shot on goal. That all changes when Seb Despotovski shows great skill on the edge of the box to tee up Jaiden Kucharski for a tap in. Brisbane go on the attack, giving this a real knock-out feel, but when they waste their golden chance from the penalty spot, Perth go on to score twice more to seal the game in the dying stages. A great advert for A-League football, the perfect scoreline to attract fans back next year, and Brisbane play the role of fall guy to perfection.

The equation is simple at Allianz Stadium. A Sydney win will guarantee them a home elimination final. Anything else after that is an absolute bonus. The Anzac Day pomp and ceremony is a distraction as the players are forced off the field early in their warm-ups. Auckland FC are a wounded animal, ready to fight to the death to secure that second-place finish now that the premiership is out of reach. Their capitulation against the Central Coast Mariners was surprising and the buzz surrounding the club following their win in Newcastle in March has now completely disappeared. Sydney FC are yet to deliver the football that their attacking talent suggests, and their position in the A-League ladder has felt completely false all season. Time to deliver. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos scores in the opening minutes, Piero Quispe bamboozles his defender to fire in a second, and Sydney are looking on course for second spot. A wobble after half-time is nipped in the bud with some astute substitutions, and further goals from Paddy Wood and Jordan Courtney-Perkins send Steve Corica on his way with the label of one-season wonders firmly planted on their backs.

Saving the best til last, Melbourne City entertain Adelaide United in a shoot-out for a home elimination final. Four wins on the bounce for the home team and a two-month unbeaten run for the visitors suggests a world of entertainment for the AAMI Park crowd today, and they are treated to a fast, open game of exciting football to bring the regular season to a close. Ryan White has been a sensation for United, and it’s his tackle that sees the ball pop out to Yaya Dukuly to thrash home the opening goal on the half-hour. Aziz Behich squares things up just before half-time and City step up the pace in the second half, Zane Schrieber with a curling shot to take the lead, and Andreas Kuen with a marauding third. There’s time for Marcus Younis to further embellish his reputation with a fourth as Adelaide go all out. A breathtaking, swashbuckling end to the A-League season as City overtake the Reds and tee up a replay of this very game next week back at Melbourne’s premier rectangular stadium.

Look at the tipping scoreboard – it’s all change behind the leaders. The Crowd’s lead is safe, and with only a round’s worth of games in the finals, the people’s voice surely wins again. Let’s see who’s the best of the rest though :

Hoy your tips in the google doc below. Click, click, click, click, boom! Five seconds it’ll take you and your job is done. Don’t skip over this without doing it, right?

The comments section is slowly beginning to feel like The Roar used to be. Feel free to pop your tips and score predictions below where they will be ripped apart and scoffed at by your peers. Fire away…

For a league that has been so close all season, by the end of round 25 everything could be decided – Newcastle Jets the premiers, the top six all done and the Wanderers stirring their cauldron with the wooden spoon. Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that; without the Australia Cup play-offs as a disincentive for the bottom four teams, there is very little to make the final round exciting for the also-rans.

Thankfully this is the A-League, the most unpredictable, unforgiving, daft football league in the world, and all manner of weird and unexpected results can happen. Macarthur FC for the championship? Perth Glory to finish last? Sydney FC to end up in sixth? It looks so unlikely, but any one of those is still mathematically possible.

Thanks for continuing to visit The Roar’s A-League tips and predictions at its temporary home. Make a big fuss! Share this on your socials, enter your selections in the Google sheet below and help the Crowd stay ahead of the dunces who pass themselves off as experts.

Stuart Thomas

Victory, Wellington, City, Sydney, Auckland, Adelaide

Things will tighten at the top when the Vuck beat the Jets on Friday and Auckland beat Central Coast on Sunday. It is going to be a cracking final week of action should Round 25 play out as many are predicting.

The Phoenix are good for all three points against a disgraceful Wanderers that have, like many of the so-called fans that started with the club all those years ago, given up the ghost. Melbourne City with a win on the road against an unconvincing Roar.

Sydney will put six on Perth in the harbour city and remain in third place. The final match of the round sees the Reds on a home deck against Macarthur, who seem to play and not play well, whenever the opposite is expected. The home crowd cheers after 90.

Andrew Prentice

Draw, Wellington, City, Sydney FC, Auckland, Adelaide

Newcastle hang on to top spot by their fingernails and face a daunting test on Friday night in Melbourne. Victory looked the most likely to disrupt the top a couple of weeks ago but this A League season doesn’t run on normal, linear lines. A lack of Juan Mata has dented the home side’s creativity but they still have danger men like Vellupillay and Jelacic to torment the Jets out wide. Of course, the leaders have plenty of firepower to respond with and I fancy a score draw to open the round.

Wellington will take advantage of a Wanderers side in next-season-prep mode. Western Sydney’s only motivation now is to avoid a wooden spoon and play for 2027 contracts. They were in the derby last week for the most part but their season-long Achilles heel of a lack of goals held them back again. Wellington have been hard to break down these last few rounds and a clean sheet win looks a good call for the hosts.

City have mustered a late-season defence of their title, and a third-placed finish is still not beyond them. They visit a Roar side who dragged a point out of the fire last week but still can’t seem to put together a cohesive 90 minutes – something they were doing so well in the early rounds. City are looking clinical and while the Roar have the ability to play spoilers, their season ambitions are done and I see City doing enough to win this.

Sydney will be hoping for another Central Coast miracle on Sunday in New Zealand to set up a mouth-watering last round match against Auckland. But first, they need to do the business on Saturday night against the unpredictable Glory. The Sky Blues defence has looked more resolute under interim coach Patrick Kisnorbo and that should be the platform that ensures they put the pressure on Auckland the next day, giving the Glory only the in-flight entertainment on the flight home to look forward to.

If the aforementioned result happens, Steve Corica’s Black Knights will feel the hot craft-beer-smelling breath of Corica’s old team on their necks as they face the Mariners. Conversely, if Sydney slip up, Corica still won’t have the luxury of resting players because Adelaide will also be Mariners fans for 2 hours and ready to pounce. The pressure is on Auckland from all sides but they may just have struck the Mariners at a good time. The little club that could (and has) are all but out of the finals race and the air might have gone out of a dogged last stand. Like many of us around the country, the Mariners tanks may be empty. Auckland to win and stay in the race for top spot.

An Auckland win will dash Adelaide’s hopes of a top two finish but they will have too much on board to fall to the Bulls, who have flattered to deceive. By the time this match happens, Macarthur will probably know they are out of the finals race. They might relax and play expansive, free-flowing football, and the Strait of Hormuz might also become a Club Med destination.

Texi Smith

Victory, Wanderers, Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland, Adelaide

The penultimate round of the A-League season gets underway with a proper blockbuster, a Friday night at AAMI Park, where Newcastle Jets can almost snatch the premiership. They will have to do so against a dogged Melbourne Victory, who dented Auckland FC’s chances last week and seem to have what it takes without Juan Mata to pull the strings. The Jets got out of jail at home to Adelaide last week, thanks to a farcical VAR decision, but they have a depth in their squad that can turn games when the ball is not running their way. Nishan Velupillay’s World Cup hopes are done no harm with a superb performance to lead his team into a half-time lead, but when Clayton Taylor equalises on the hour, it’s all to play for. The Jets pour forward but are caught on the break late in the game when Reno Piscopo pops up at the far post to tap in with the visiting defence all up the other end. It’s going down to the wire!

The chances of Wellington Phoenix making the top six are next to nought, thanks to their disappointing loss in the six-pointer against Melbourne City last weekend. They have as much chance of making the finals as Western Sydney Wanderers have of avoiding the wooden spoon, the derby defeat last week a bitter pill to swallow after creating a host of chances. This the sort of game where the Wanderers pull a crazy result out of the bag; they did it earlier in the season in Campbelltown, and their talented bunch of individuals will finally gel and give the Phoenix a hammering. Hiroshi Ibusuki is back to his best, and Brandon Borrello looks like a fresh-faced newcomer as he torments the Wellington defence with his skill and pace. Three goals is barely enough reward for the battering they hand out; the Talay turnaround has started, next season is when it all comes together.

Brisbane Roar’s horrible run in 2026 has taken them to within one place of the basement, but a couple of draws will see them safe. Melbourne City just need to win one more and they’re in the finals; what an opportunity this is to make next week’s visit of Adelaide United immaterial. City are just purring in the first half here, expecting to score every time they venture forward, but this is the final home game of the season and the home team will be fired up. What a game for the neutral, as City lead 2-1 at the break, but Brisbane do love a draw and they level things up with Henry Hore’s equaliser. Just as the inevitable share of the points looks nailed on, hard-man German Ferreyra swipes away Hore’s legs and Jay O’Shea finishes the job from the spot for a surprise winner. All to play for in the final round!

Somehow sneaking into the glamour Saturday night spot, it’s Perth Glory’s visit to Allianz Stadium to face Sydney FC. The new era is upon us after the Sky Blues weathered the storm to snatch the win in Parramatta last Saturday night, and Patrick Kisnorbo will remind us all that his Sydney team are unbeaten with two clean sheets in his tenure. Two workmanlike performances have steered the ship away from danger when the season looked rocky, and this will be no different, the grit of Wataru Kamijo continuing in midfield in front of a changed back four; the prospect of Jaiden Kucharski scoring against the club that treated him so poorly is not lost on the home fans, so when it comes true with a bullet from the edge of the area, there is applause all round. But Sydney dig deep, and have the scores level at half time through an Apostolos Stamatelopoulos header, and when the terrible twins Paddy Wood and Akol Akon are sent on with ten minutes to go, they cause mayhem, Tiago Quintal and Piero Quispe finishing the job to briefly close the gap on second spot.

Auckland FC have everything to play for; Central Coast Mariners have proven themselves reliable wreckers over the years, and they will be looking to avoid slipping any further down the table following a terrible run of results. The Port will be tearing their hair out watching the first half here, it’s more of the same from last week where they looked sluggish, and the Mariners toy with their insecurity, pressing for the ball constantly and drawing mistakes from the home defence. The half-time team talk from the manager-less home side changes everything and a rejuvenated Auckland go on to score three times in ten minutes midway through the second period, Jesse Randall back amongst the goals to keep the dream alive.

Such a poor performance from Macarthur FC last week in Perth, but having beaten both of the top two teams on the road this season, there’s no reason why they can’t beat Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This Adelaide United team is still reeling from seeing a goal chalked off in Newcastle last week and denied a wonder goal by Anselmo by the tightest of margins; they were the better team then and they will be this afternoon as the Dads Army of the Bulls is caught in possession by the fizzing Adelaide midfield and made to pay for their static and uninteresting football. Mitch Duke is a constant threat but he has no support, and when Brody Burkitt is thrown on with twenty minutes remaining, his verve wins the game for the home side, scoring one and setting up the other for Luka Jovanovic as finals football becomes a reality in South Australia.

Look at the tipping scoreboard – what on earth is Smith thinking tipping Wanderers and Brisbane? The Crowd’s lead is surely unassailable, and with your help they should get across the line in first place :

Tip now, you crazy young fools. Click, click, click, click, click click and click and you’re done. What are you waiting for?

Please keep the comments coming. We can see how many people are visiting this article on a weekly basis and it is heart-warming that a lot of you are from The Roar. See you for the final round!

Auckland FC couldn’t do it last week; can Newcastle dispatch Adelaide United and take a giant leap towards the Premiers’ plate? The simple formula is that we’re going to run out of games and the Jets will still be at the top of the ladder after round 26, providing they can match the results of the reigning premiers. What an opportunity for them this weekend, it’s in their hands, can they keep their grip on top spot?

Elsewhere, only Western Sydney Wanderers are guaranteed an early finish to the season and will be playing for pride in the Sydney derby at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night. The teams chasing a top-six finish are showing form at the right time, and those who have been clinging on to a finals berth will be looking over their shoulders and praying.

Will we see The Roar Sports back to life before the end of the season? The silence is deafening, and the value of the asset has diminished so much that there’ll be nothing worth fighting about soon. Can someone just swoop in and get this thing up and running again? Are there any sensible heads willing to shake hands and do the right thing? Tell us what’s happening!

In the meantime, please keep with us at our temporary home. Share the link on social media, take five seconds to enter your selections in the Google sheet and make sure The Crowd stays miles ahead of our so-called experts.

Stuart Thomas

Central Coast, Auckland, Newcastle, Western Sydney, City, Macarthur

Short and not-so-sweet this week. It looks like an easy week with the Mariners certain to topple to Roar on Friday night. Auckland still have eyes on the plate and should beat the Vuck on Saturday before the Jets claim it against the Reds in Newcastle a few hours later. 

Western Sydney will claim the Derby, Melbourne City are looking a little better and almost certain winners against the Phoenix on Sunday before the Bulls knock off the Glory to end the round on Sunday.

Andrew Prentice

Draw, Auckland, Newcastle, Sydney FC, Wellington, Perth

The APL, in their infinite wisdom, could have scheduled Mariners-Roar any time on the weekend but decided on Friday, ensuring that a) the Mariners get only two days rest, and b) the crowd will be way down given so many Mariners fans are commuters. Nice one, APL, top decision-making. The Mariners hung in but were ultimately off the pace against City on Tuesday. The Roar haven’t won since Methuselah was a rookie but know how to draw. That sounds like the right outcome.

Auckland declined an invitation from the Jets to draw within a point of top spot last week. Back at home in one of the games of the round against a Victory side who underestimated the new-found resilience of the other NZ team last week, the Black Knights need to arrest their scatological form and win. Francis De Vries is a big loss but they retain a formidable attacking firepower. Despite Victory’s assets, Auckland to win at home.

Even when the Jets lose, they entertain. They somehow conspired to lose to Macarthur and now face a fellow thrill-a-minute side in the Reds. It will be a giant step towards the Premiers Plate if they nab three points here. I’m wondering if Zach Clough is ready for a prominent role against his former club. There will be goals and thrills and a lot of Mark Milligan fist pumps when the Jets get up.

The Wanderers are the only club to be mathematically ruled out of finals contention in this crazy league. A shame, considering it’s derby night. But let’s be honest, the Wanderers are already on the beach, a mess of a season washing out with the high tide. They’ll raise their game against a similarly out-of-sorts Sky Blues with the bizarre storyline that their former coach will be the opponent’s next coach. Hard for either set of fans to wrap their heads around that. FC to win.

City have looked impressive since dropping out of the ACL. And for no other reason except there’s always an odd result in the A League, I’m backing Wellington to continue the most unlikely finals run since, well, Melbourne City or the Mariners. It’s the vibe…and City might be tired.

Speaking of vibes…Macarthur have gone from imposters to contenders in the last three weeks. But c’mon…they’re harder to pick than ripe mangoes in Tasmania. Perth are like the pottery scene in the movie Ghost – they appear to be well-formed and ready to rise to the occasion but become distracted (though not by Patrick Swayze) and collapse at inopportune times. If they can be more Demi and less Patrick this week, they’ll keep their faint finals hopes flickering. 

Texi Smith

Central Coast, Auckland, Adelaide, Sydney, City, Macarthur

After storming back to claim a draw against Perth Glory on Saturday, the defeat in Melbourne was a fizzer for Central Coast Mariners, and their season now looks unsalvageable. Mathematically, Friday night’s visitors Brisbane Roar can also still make the finals, and without the threat of an Australia Cup play-off berth for the bottom four, there will be literally nothing to play for if they lose in Gosford tonight. Cue an unlikely A-League classic, James Sabit recalled and firing in an early opener for the home team. Justin Vidic equalises before half-time and Henry Hore has the Roar in the lead just after the break as the tiny crowd braces for another poor result. Up steps Ali Auglah with a sensational brace to turn the game back in the Mariners’ favour and keep the flame burning with two rounds to play.

Auckland FC are feeling the heat coming into the closing stages of the season; after watching Newcastle lose last Thursday night, they couldn’t get the win they needed to close the gap and instead picked up a hatful of yellow cards in a fiery draw in Adelaide. There are no margins left now, they must win, and with Juan Mata sitting this one out after surgery, this will be a tough assignment for Melbourne Victory. The pressure will start mounting after half-time has been and gone with no goals, the crowd at Mount Smart will be restless until Guillermo May thunders home the opening goal; the cork has been popped and Auckland put their evil foes to the sword in a devastating finish to the contest.

The Box Office Jets have their destiny in their hands. If there’s a team that’s going to spoil any party, it’s Adelaide United, and after they dented Auckland’s surge over Easter, there’s more work to be done at McDonald Jones Stadium in the early evening blockbuster. Newcastle’s wobble has coincided with Auckland’s but if they can negotiate this fixture in front of a bumper crowd at their warm and welcoming home, they can edge that bit closer to their dream. However, what we see this evening is a disjointed performance, the Reds proving to be more regimented and hard to break down, and when Ryan White wins a 50/50 challenge in midfield, the ball ricochets to Yaya Dukuly and his cool finish silences the raucous home fans in the ultimate smash-and-grab. Man of the match Joshua Gerardus Petrus Wilhelmus Smits picks up another yellow card but just cannot be beaten.

The only losers out of Saturday night’s Sydney derby can be Sydney FC. They have so much to lose, whereas the beleaguered Western Sydney Wanderers can coast all the way to the wooden spoon without a care in the world. Ufuk Talay will be in the stands to watch his old and new clubs do battle, his future charges under the watchful eye of Gary Van Egmond with a few words ringing in his ear, and a rare full-house at CommBank Stadium (in the sokkah anyway) roars the Wanderers on in a one-sided first half. Alex Gersbach fires them into the lead, and Steven Ugarkovic hits the post as the home side threaten to run away with it, but the second half sees Patrick Kisnorbo make deft tweaks to the workmanlike team and the introduction of Piero Quispe is pivotal as he wins a penalty and then scores the second in front of the bank of visiting fans to give Sydney FC the shot in the arm that they need in their fight for finals football.

So, did Wellington Phoenix stay in Melbourne for the week? Following their late winner in their conquest of Victory, they return to AAMI Park for a match up with form team City. It is such a surprise to see the other sky blues rampaging back into finals contention, and with this one being a do-or-die clash for the visitors, there is a lot on the line; such a shame this fixture is tucked away on Sunday afternoon. This is a proper cup tie, Daniel Arzani revels in the space as Wellington push for the all-important goal, and for all of the hustling and bustling of Ifeanyi Eze and Corban Piper up front for the visitors, it’s a swift counter-attack from City that unlocks the door to the finals, Arzani’s instant cross-field ball into the path of Andrew Nabbout allowing a clear run on goal and a delightful chip to score the only goal of the game.

What a way to round off a key weekend of A-League football. Melbourne City will be thinking they’ve done about enough to secure their spot in the finals, but Macarthur FC are here to keep them guessing until the final day. Beating the top two teams in successive games has brought the Bulls back into the conversation, although a trip to Perth Glory is never an easy assignment. The Dad’s Army midfield of Macarthur purrs like a stealthy jaguar, and despite an early barrage of Perth attacks, the visitors look solid. Mitch Duke is left all alone to open the scoring just before half time, and Chris Ikonomidis gets reward for his endeavour with a diving header in the second half to seal the points. The A-League remains poised with two games left. Anything can happen. Do not look away.

Here’s what everyone tipped this round. It’s a mixed bag. The Crowd are playing the part of Arsenal FC very well. I’d love it… love it if we beat them :

Tip along here. Seven clicks and you’re done. Do it…

As always, keep your comments coming. It’s fun, pretending to be back at The Roar. We’re getting good numbers hitting the article every week, let’s enjoy the rest of the season!

It’s Newcastle Jets or Auckland FC for premiers, any team from Macarthur FC down to basement club Western Sydney Wanderers can claim the sixth and last finals spot, but we know it’s not as cut and dry as that in the world’s best football league. The trap door can open very quickly for Sydney FC under their new head coach and who knows what Wellington Phoenix are going to pull out of the hat next.

After a weekend of thrilling international football, we return to domestic action, with only five rounds remaining. You do the maths, you predict the scenarios, every team will earn between 0 and 15 points before the end of the regular season. Anything can happen.

If anyone knows the latest on the future of The Roar, please do share it with us. We’ll keep the A-League tips and predictions firing until the Grand Final, and who knows we could be back home for next season. Stay connected, stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.

Please don’t be shy. Share your tips, enter your selections in the Google sheet and let’s make sure that The Crowd stays well ahead of the chasing pack.

Stuart Thomas

Macarthur, Brisbane, Adelaide, Central Coast, City, Victory, City

They continue to be the dark horse of the league and the Bulls pinch all three points at home against a disappointing Newcastle. Things will tighten up in the race for the plate as a result. Brisbane will beat Sydney after a nice rest and the drama that has unfolded in the harbour city.

The Reds in front of a sell out crowd are good things and Auckland might stumble on Friday night. The Mariners won’t do the same and should beat a Perth side that has missed what could have been a great opportunity in season 2025/26.

City far too good for the McWanderers who remain nothing more than a happy meal of a club that represents nothing and Victory will round out the six matches with a nice win over the Phoenix. A dark blue team looms as title winners based on history.

One extra game tacked onto the end of the round, and we have a few hundred fans at AAMI Park for City’s impressive win over the Mariners with a Daniel Arzani bicycle kick from outside the area going viral around the world.

Andrew Prentice

Newcastle, Sydney, Adelaide, Central Coast, Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory, Draw

The Jets air show keeps soaring. They can take a big step towards the Premiers Plate with a win at Campbelltown on Thursday night. Macarthur did them a favour last round by beating Auckland in the kind of result that would’ve had men in white lab coats rushing the stables if it was a horse race. Clayton Taylor’s availability will be a factor for the Jets, although they managed to beat Sydney without him. The Bulls win last start may look more of an aberration after this game.

The Roar haven’t won since Round 13. Sydney look a shambles but may benefit from the dead cat bounce of a new coach (though how long he’ll hang around is a subject bookmakers won’t give you odds on – just don’t gamble!) Given the respective form guides of both sides, I’m sure both would be happy to come to a gentleman’s agreement on this one. That said, a Sydney win would see them go to third and with more to play for that should tip the scales in their favour.

What on earth happened to Auckland last start? Looking to shore up (at the least) a top two spot and an advantage run in the finals, they fell asleep against the Bulls and got gored. Adelaide are enjoying a run of form that sees them unbeaten in 7 matches and they know how to score a goal. Even without Lord Craig, they are making life miserable for opposition defences. This will be a cracker of a game with the Reds home ground advantage giving them the edge.

The Mariners amazing run ended at the hands of a rampant Victory. They tumbled out of the top six as a result but have the chance to haul themselves back onto the horse as the Glory put the chocolate eggs aside for an Easter trip to Gosford. In truth, the Mariners 4-1 loss to Victory looked worse on paper, conceding injury time goals blew the score out when they were still hanging in there through the 90. Glory could still harbour theoretical finals ambitions but will more likely provide nuisance value. A 1-0 Mariners win looms.

Since being freed of the shackles of the Asian Champions League, City have – if not recaptured champions form in the league – then at least looked a facsimile of a team that cares again. Their finals chances really rest on the next two games and they should have enough at both ends to dent the Wanderers, who this week lovingly opened their arms to a former mortal enemy as next year’s coach. It seems like Western Sydney are right in 2026-27 preparation mode. City to win, but not with any style.

The Melbourne “style” is being left to Victory, who last lost in Round 15 and who have scored 8 goals in their last two games. The Phoenix are much-improved of late, and in this crazily tight A League season could jump into the semi final spots with a win here. They’ll have to find a way to deal with Juan Mata though, and no-one yet has figured out how to do that (well, apart from the Wanderers last season). 

A Tuesday night deferred game will see two tired teams full of Easter chocolate trying to hang onto top six places. It may not make for a classic but there will be enough grit and endeavour on display to cancel each other out. While neither side benefits greatly from a draw, when the final whistle blows, they may just accept it in the same way we all now stare glassily at petrol prices and think, “Can it get worse?”

Texi Smith

Newcastle, Brisbane, Auckland, Draw, City, Victory, City

Four defeats on the bounce followed by an away win at the premiers – only in the A-League – and Macarthur FC were good value for their win in Auckland. The Jets consolidated top spot with a smash-and-grab to end Ufuk Talay’s tenure as Sydney coach and will have the backing of a good number of fans at Campbelltown Stadium on Thursday night. In recent seasons this would be a home banker, but now that the Jets have shown their cards, Will Dobson will have them in the lead early, Kota Mizunuma adding a second late in the game after the Bulls have pushed them all the way. Crack open the champagne, our new Premiers are on the march.

Sydney FC fans’ Tour of Duty heads to Suncorp Stadium for a Thursday night showdown against the embattled Brisbane Roar. The vibe manager’s undoubted vibeyness has not yet rubbed off on the home team, and with a new (interim) man at the helm for the Sky Blues, we get the first chance to experience the regimented PK era. Wholesale changes to the team that threw a point away against the Jets, Sydney FC are a new-look, well-drilled outfit, but when Corey Hollman i dismissed only four minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute, it’s the home team who take the spoils thanks to a marvellous Jay O’Shea half-volley straight out of Alessandro Diamanti’s top drawer.

Good Friday under lights at a packed-out Coopers Stadium. Public Holiday, nothing else to prevent Adelaide United fans from attending, the A-League draws a full-house for the visit of reigning premiers Auckland FC. Adelaide have put together a strong run of results of late, and have goals in their attack, but Auckland have Jesse Randall, and it ends up being a shoot-out between him and Luka Jovanovic, both players with a brace, but Lachlan Brook’s late screamer gives the Kiwis a vital win in their premiership defence.

Perth Glory’s season has lurched from one bad result to another in recent weeks, but their spirited draw with Melbourne City may have stopped the rot. A rare start for Jaiden Kucharski is rewarded with an early opener in Gosford, and when Scott Wootton rises to plant in a second, the sparse home crowd is left wondering why they gave up their time on a long weekend to follow this shit. James Sabit has a swift reply after coming on as a second-half sub, and that man Ali Auglah chips in a dramatic equaliser to give them a share of the spoils and keep the finals conversation going.

Western Sydney Wanderers’ interim coach Gary Van Egmond now knows his place in the club’ plans and these final weeks of the season will be like the last days of school back in year six; almost checked out, apprehensive about the new year ahead and determined to have a good time with what time remains. The visit to Melbourne City could be another one of those A-League aberrations, but the Wanderers are bottom of the pile for a reason, keeping City at bay until just before half time when Marcus Younis opens the scoring. It’s one way traffic in the second half and Andrew Nabbout fills his boots, City finding form just at the right time.

Wellington’s mini-renaissance comes to a shuddering halt at Melbourne Victory on Easter Sunday, Clarismario Santos and Nishan Velupillay on the scoresheet early in the game. Phoenix look troubled, and a shadow of the team that won well at Brisbane last round. Nikos Vergos is thrown on to try and put the game to bed and he certainly does that, a quick-fire double setting up a thumping Victory win to keep them in the hot seat for finals football.

The game that no one wanted this round is hidden away on Tuesday night, when everyone is back to work or on their extended holiday. Both Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners are vying for sixth spot in the ladder, but with Sydney FC totally out of form, they could be aiming even higher. A thumping header from Max Caputo gives City the lead in the second half after sustained pressure and Daniel Arzani reminds us of his credentials with a devastating second goal near the end. The race for the finals is hot; keep your eye on City as a dark horse for the Championship.

See what everyone tipped this round, the shock at Texi choosing a draw, and marvel at the Crowd’s lead at the top :

Get your tips in below. Five seconds it’ll take you, and you’ll help The Crowd stay a whole round ahead of the tipsters.

Drop us a comment below, keep the last remnant of The Roar’s football page breathing and enjoy the Easter weekend.