ALM PREVIEW: City v Sydney

Our regular season finale is almost here as City prepares to host Sydney FC in a blockbuster final round of the A-League Men’s season.

It’s all on the line for Aurelio Vidmar’s squad, with our fate in our own hands when we take to AAMI Park on Saturday evening.

Your City boys need your support in the stands – click here to get your tickets!

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this huge clash:

What’s on the line?

There’s no sugarcoating the stakes—City needs a win to ensure second spot on the table, which brings with it AFC Champions League Elite qualification and a direct path to the A-League Men’s Semi-Finals.

While a draw could be enough, it would require both Western United and Western Sydney Wanderers to drop points later on Saturday—a scenario Aurelio Vidmar’s side will be determined to avoid relying on.

In the unlikely event that all three teams taste defeat, we’d hold onto the second place we currently possess unless there’s a four-goal swing between us and Melbourne Victory.

Should we record a third consecutive draw but Western United lose, the Wanderers would have to win to jump into second.

For Sydney FC, the equation is clear – they need to avoid defeat to keep their season alive. A draw or victory would see them jump into sixth ahead of Adelaide United, who have already played their last match.

Should City lock in second place, it would mark a third qualification for Asia’s top-tier Men’s competition, having featured in the AFC Champions League in 2022 and 2023/24.

It would also be a history-making moment, with City potentially becoming the first Australian Club to have both its Men’s and Women’s teams qualify for the Champions League in the same cycle.

Squad News

City is set for a timely boost with Mathew Leckie cleared to return from injury.

The experienced forward has endured a frustrating season with calf and hamstring issues but will be eager to make an impact at the business end of the campaign.

Whether Vidmar opts to start him or use him as an impact sub, Leckie’s presence and experience in big games will be vital.

Harry Politidis has also been promoted to the extended squad, bringing added versatility with the 22-year-old’s ability to be deployed either on the wing or at full-back.

Meanwhile, Steven Ugarkovic (hamstring) and Samuel Souprayen (calf) remain sidelined but will be pressing for a return come Finals time.

The Formline

City enters the final round unbeaten in our last five games and with just one loss in the past 10 (6W, 3D). While we were recently held to consecutive draws against Western Sydney and Adelaide, the team remains in control of its top-two fate.

One of the highlights of that run came the last time we met Sydney FC when we produced a thrilling 3-2 win away in March.

On that night, goals to Medin Memeti, Max Caputo and Ale Lopane sealed a hard-fought victory. City will be hoping for a repeat performance in front of the home faithful this time around.

Sydney, meanwhile, is coming off a narrow 1-0 loss to Western United and will be throwing everything at tonight’s clash, knowing their Finals hopes hang in the balance.

With so much riding on the result for both sides, Saturday night at AAMI Park is not one to miss.