I don't really understand the whole sentiment around not wanting us to be in the finals. If we can get a confidence-boosting win against MacArthur anything can happen in a finals game and just playing in a finals game can give players that extra 10% of effort. It is unlikely we will get past the first round but if we do get past it we will get a home playoff game in the next round which will be huge for the club to get hopefully a packed-out crowd to send Uffie off even if we do bow out in the semis.
There is a real chance CCM will finish 3rd. The Nix have a 1W & 2D against them this season.
A heap is gonna depend of how they go against MAC. Another limp loss, but still sneak into 6th - and yes it will take a bit of a miracle to win against anyone in the playoff. If they can sort out their differences, and play with some heart/grit against MAC that will be a huge boost.
Adelaide (2nd, 42 pts) hosting CCM (3rd, 41 pts) is actually a huge game this Friday night. Both teams gunning for 2nd and first week of the playoffs off.
WSW (4th, also 41 pts same GD as CCM) travel in Melb City in another big game. Top 4 teams all playing each other.
Melb City win, and CCM get a draw. Would see Adelaide 2nd, CCM 3rd & WSW 4th.
Melb City win, and CCM a narrower defeat to Adelaide than WSW losing to MC, would see CCM 3rd on GD.
https://us.soccerway.com/national/australia/a-league/20222023/regular-season/r70406/
So Nix will be watching Friday night games closely. I'm sure they want a Gosford trip for the playoffs, given their recent trips to Adelaide & Parramtta have been awful.