The finals-type intensity the desperate Western Sydney Wanderers are set to provide on Saturday night will be an ideal playoffs preparation for a Melbourne Victory side that has already secured its top-six berth.
While the Victory is certain to host an elimination clash on the opening weekend of the finals series regardless of the result at AAMI Park, the Wanderers must win to have any hope of finishing in the top six.
A Wanderers win would lift them, at least temporarily, above Melbourne City into sixth spot.
They would then need to rely on competition battlers Western United avoiding defeat against City at the same venue on Sunday to keep their top-six spot.
“Wanderers, they need the result,” Victory coach and former Western Sydney mentor Tony Popovic said.
“I’m sure they’ll bring their quality, their passion, their energy, their intensity, which can help us for our own motivation, which is to win but (also) to be in the best shape possible for next week.
“Some players will maybe get more minutes in this game that haven’t had much lately, but it’s more just the performance.
“We can improve. We know there’s a major game to be played next week, and we’re all looking forward to that.”
Popovic said the Wanderers “wouldn’t be happy” to be sitting in seventh spot on the ladder.
“If you look up at their line-up and their squad, you can’t underestimate them and nor would we,” he said.
“We know they have the individuals that on their day can give you problems. We’re aware of that and we’ll certainly respect that.”
The Victory will welcome the return of Olyroos trio Ryan Teague, Nishan Velupillay and Jordi Valadon following Australia’s disappointing performance at the AFC under-23 Asian Cup in Qatar.
“It’s not just physical, you have a look psychologically, emotionally … it’s obviously a big disappointment not getting through,” Popovic said.
“The goal was (qualifying) for the Olympics, but (they failed to) get through the group, but they’ve come back very positive in terms of how they’ve presented physically.
“Obviously, they’ve had some jet lag. You can’t fight that, it just happens, but they’re good.”
The winner of the Premier’s Plate could also be decided on Saturday night.
Wellington Phoenix is first on the ladder, but the second-placed Central Coast Mariners are only a point behind and have a game in hand.
Both sides are in action at the same time on Saturday, with the Phoenix hosting Macarthur FC at Sky Stadium and the Mariners travelling to Newcastle to meet the Jets in an F3 derby.
The Premier’s Plate will be in Wellington for the Phoenix to lift should they win and the Mariners lose.
However, Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano doesn’t want to “tempt fate”.
“I don’t want to see it, I don’t want to know about it, I don’t want my players to see it … it’s bad luck,” Italiano said.