After lamenting several weeks ago that there was nothing to play for in what was then the remaining 8-10 weeks of the A-League, the teams keep handing us results that puts the order of the top six into some doubt and brings us close to the wire with two rounds and Sunday's games to go.
With last night's results having yet another impact on the final state of the top six, here's a rundown for those who are permutationally-challenged.
Melbourne City and Adelaide United played out a goalless draw when a win for either could have cemented a home final for them, while Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC resulted in 1-1 when a win for Sydney would have put more pressure on Perth Glory who meet Newcastle Jets tonight at home.
If Perth win tonight against Newcastle Jets, they will be on 57 points and will be handed the Premiers' Plate. If they draw, they will be premiers although the Premiers' Plate would not be handed to them until the end of the season, as Sydney FC could equal them on points but with an inferior goal difference. If Perth Glory lose tonight, Sydney FC is still in with a chance and it would make their top-of-the-table clash on Thursday night an even bigger occasion than what it is.
Even the earlier match today between Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners could have an impact on the final top six positions.
If Melbourne Victory win they will as a minimum finish third, but could also finish second. If they draw or lose, their third position is set in concrete. Although a loss could potentially set them up with equal points with Adelaide United, their goal difference is far superior to Adelaide United. Melbourne Victory's final game of the season is against Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney, with a mid-week return leg match at home against Guangzhou Evergrande in the Asian Champions League (ACL) on 23 April.
By contrast, Sydney FC's final two games involve a home game against Perth Glory, a trip to Newcastle to play Newcastle Jets, with a trip to Shanghai in-between to play the return leg against Shanghai SIPG in the ACL on 23 April.
That leaves Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City both currently on 37 points and meeting each other next round on Easter Sunday. A win to either could see them finish the season in fourth position and the much-coveted home final. A draw or a loss for either would see them finish the season making up the top six.
Of the three teams vying for fourth position, Melbourne City probably has the slightly easier run (on paper!) than the other two:
Adelaide United have Melbourne Victory at home on Good Friday, followed by Brisbane Roar in Brisbane on Anzac Day;
After the Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City clash on Sunday, Wellington face Perth Glory in Perth in their final game on 28 April.
Melbourne City's final match is against Central Coast Mariners at home.
In terms of the final four positions, Brisbane Roar's win on Friday night meant that they avoid the wooden spoon and that will once again go to Central Coast Mariners.
However, there is still scope for shifting positions between Newcastle Jets and Western Sydney Wanderers who are currently at numbers 7 and 8 on the table, especially with the bottom four teams to meet one another next Saturday. Brisbane Roar could finish with the same number of points as the Wanderers, but their goal difference would see them stay where they are.
In a nutshell:
Perth Glory or Sydney FC are the only two teams who can win the Premiers Plate – and Perth are widely tipped to do so tonight assuming they win against Newcastle Jets.
If that is the case, Sydney FC will finish at least third, but possibly second.
Melbourne Victory will finish at least third, but possibly second.
The last home final is still up for grabs between Adelaide United, Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne City.
Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets could swap positions.
Central Coast Mariners have the wooden spoon.
Photo: There was a moment's applause before kick-off in last night's Sydney Derby to pay tribute to Western Sydney Wanderers' Foundation Powerchair player Alex Scollard and Foundation Member Daniel Newcombe who both sadly passed away recently.