A-League elimination finals form guide
ELIMINATION FINAL ONE: Brisbane (3rd) v Western Sydney (6th)
Friday, April 21 at Suncorp Stadium - 7:50pm (AEST)
BRISBANE ROAR:
* Coach: John Aloisi
* Captain: Matt McKay
* Championships: 3 (2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14)
* Premierships: 2 (2010-11, 2013-14)
* Finals campaigns: 9
* Why they'll win: Their penchant for late goals was yet again on show in Sunday's come-from-behind 4-3 win over Wellington. There's no such a thing as a dead game for this team.
* X-factor: The previously injury-troubled Brett Holman is coming into form at the perfect time. With three goals from his last two games, the former Socceroo is proving lethal alongside Jamie Maclaren.
WESTERN SYDNEY:
* Coach: Tony Popovic
* Captain: Dimas
* Championships: Nil
* Premierships: 1 (2012-13)
* Finals campaigns: 4
* Why they'll win: An initially shaky defence has improved markedly in recent weeks, while the squad as a whole are running out 90 minutes with more conviction.
* X-factor: Super-sub turned regular starter Brendon Santalab is the driving force behind the Wanderers' late-season revival with five goals from two games last month. Aggressive yet composed, the 34-year-old's fitness will be key to his club's success.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:
Played 19 Brisbane 7 wins, Western Sydney 8 wins, drawn 4
REGULAR-SEASON RECORD 2016-17:
* Brisbane 11 wins 9 draws 7 losses (goals for: 43, goals against: 37)
* Western Sydney 8 wins 12 draws 7 losses (goals for: 35, goals against: 35)
PAST FIVE MEETINGS:
* 28/01/17: Brisbane 2 Western Sydney 1
* 23/12/16: Brisbane 1 Western Sydney 1
* 25/11/16: Western Sydney 1 Brisbane 1
* 24/04/16: Western Sydney 5 Brisbane 4 (extra-time)
* 04/03/16: Brisbane 3 Western Sydney 2
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ELIMINATION FINAL TWO: Melbourne City (4th) v Perth Glory (5th)
Sunday, April 23 at AAMI Park - 7:00pm (AEST)
MELBOURNE CITY:
* Coach: Michael Valkanis
* Captain: Bruno Fornaroli
* Championships: None
* Premierships: None
* Finals campaigns: 4
* Why they'll win: On their day this attack can beat anyone, as shown against Sydney FC in November's FFA Cup final. Since then their form has been shaky yet their ability to turn it on can't be underestimated.
* X-factor: Fornaroli and Tim Cahill are near inseparable when it comes to scoring in big games. At 37, Cahill's aerial capacity is still up there with the best in the world while Fornaroli adds something extra special in open play.
PERTH GLORY:
* Coach: Kenny Lowe
* Captain: Rostyn Griffiths
* Championships: None
* Premierships: None
* Finals campaigns: 5
* Why they'll win: Melbourne has been the Glory's most fruitful away destination this season. And while Sunday's insane 5-4 win in Perth was wildly open, a deeper-lying counter-attacking approach could be just the ticket in this rematch.
* X-factor: Diego Castro. Lowe lets the gifted Spaniard roam free, and that's exactly when the reigning Johnny Warren Medallist is most dangerous with his service to strikers Andy Keogh and Adam Taggart.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:
Played 23 City 6 wins, Perth 10 wins, drawn 7
REGULAR-SEASON RECORD 2016-17:
* City 11 wins 6 draws 10 losses (goals for: 49, goals against: 44)
* Perth 10 wins 9 draws 8 losses (goals for: 53, goals against: 53)
PAST FIVE MEETINGS:
* 16/04/17: Perth 5 City 4
* 27/12/16: City 3 Perth 3
* 21/10/16: City 2 Perth 3
* 17/04/16: City 2 Perth 0
* 03/04/16: Perth 3 City 2
