1. Wellington, 42 points, +13 goals

The run home: Victory (H), City (A), Mariners (H), Sydney FC (H)

Outlook: Blew a huge chance to keep themselves well clear of the pack on Sunday with their 3-0 loss to Sydney FC. But they should be with their best two players, Nathan Burns and Michael McGlinchey, for the rest of the season. With three of their last four matches at home, and a very winnable visit to AAMI Park to face the hot-and-cold City, they're not without hope of staying first. Must avoid defeats to Victory and Sydney.

Key game: Victory (H) – A loss here ends their top-spot hopes but three points would dent Victory's chances.

Prediction: 3rd

2. Melbourne Victory, 41 points, +19 goals

The run home: Phoenix (A), Jets (H), Roar (A), Roar (A), Mariners (H)

Outlook: Turns for home with a game in hand and an absolute peach of a draw. Getting anything away at Wellington will be tough but a draw would suffice. After that, Kevin Muscat will then ask his side to win three of their last four. They should crunch the Jets and the Mariners at home, pick up something from their two games in Brisbane and finish the season at least 10 points better off than where they are now. That surely secures the Premiers' Plate.

Key game: Roar (A) - Play Brisbane twice away in three days. Win either and they'll probably get top spot.

Prediction: 1st

3. Sydney FC, 41 points, +13 goals

The run home: Adelaide (H), Perth (A), Newcastle (A), Phoenix (A)

Outlook: Can bank three points against the Jets on the penultimate weekend but could find it tough in their other three matches. This Saturday's showdown with Adelaide will set the tempo for what happens after. A win, as expected, would see them tighten their grip on a home final and keep them in contention for top spot. A draw or loss could see the Sky Blues cede ground, something they'll be desperate to avoid with a trip to Perth looming.

Key game: Phoenix (A) – Last day of the season and while a win may take them to first or second, a loss may send them to fourth or fifth. A final before the finals.

Prediction: 2nd

4. Perth Glory, 41 points, +8 goals

The run home: Jets (A), Sydney (H), City (H), Wanderers (A)

Outlook: The importance of their win over the Wanderers can't be over-stated, for it gives them a fighting chance of regaining top spot. Despite being just one point off the summit, the Glory are the team most fans are writing off as contenders. That's unwise, given this team's penchant for a scrap, although they did go winless for months on end recently. They should beat the Jets, however, and two wins in a row could inspire confidence before back-to-back home matches.

Key game: Sydney (H) – The Sky Blues are unbeaten away from home this year but if Perth want third, they need to snap the streak.

Prediction: 4th

5. Adelaide United, 40 points, +13 goals

The run home: Sydney (A), Roar (H), Wanderers (A), City (H)

Outlook: Can finish with three wins in their last three games – and nine points may be enough to get them a home final. They're every chance of grabbing a point against Sydney FC as well. Their aim should be to go unbeaten from here and take a minimum of eight points but that's hardly a fait accompli sans their best player, Marcelo Carrusca. With him, they'd be hunting down the top two. Without him, their relatively comfortable draw looks that bit harder.

Key game: Sydney (H) – Win this and they're in the hunt for the whole thing. Easier said than done.

Prediction: 5th

6. Melbourne City, 33 points, ±0 goals

The run home: Wanderers (A), Phoenix (H), Perth (A), Adelaide (A)

Outlook: Eight points clear of Brisbane seems to be enough to ensure that City will play in the finals for the second time in their short existence. However, they're likely to be very thankful for Saturday night's win over the Roar as they face the toughest run of any team in the top six. It's possible they could lose their last three matches. They'll struggle to get any more than three or four points.

Key game: Wanderers (A) – Three points would finally lock the gate on Brisbane.

Prediction: 6th

7. Brisbane Roar, 25 points, -6 goals

The run home: Mariners (H), Adelaide (A), Victory (H), Victory (H), Newcastle (A)

Outlook: Have surely blown their finals chances but the fixture leaves a chance – albeit a mathematical one. They have to do almost everything right and hope City do everything wrong. The Victorian side won't pick up many points but still seem too far away, even if the Roar boast a game in hand.

Key game: Adelaide (A) – If they defeat the Mariners and then take out Adelaide, City may get a little nervous.

Prediction: 7th