Adelaide United is in the box seat to host a home final with just two rounds remaining

Adelaide United is sitting in fourth spot, just six points away from owning an important knockout clash during the finals series.

Paul Izzo punches the ball clear of Adelaide United teammate Ben Halloran. (AAP Image/David Crosling)

• Reds grind out priceless draw

Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz is heading for an exit like no other outgoing boss in the A-League after engineering miracles with a side that is by far the least glamorous in dollar terms among the top six.

After Kurz’s impressive tactics again halted a big spender from running rampant in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Melbourne City, the Reds continue to control their own destiny, starting with a huge clash on Good Friday.

Kurz will this week plot the downfall of Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium.

As last year’s Adelaide FFA Cup final win continues to linger as proof that United is a specialist side when it comes to knockout matches, the whispers continue about where Kurz will be next season.

delaide United coach Marco Kurz is all smiles after Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Melbourne City at AAMI Park. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Scott Galloway on the attack under pressure from Melbourne City’s Florin Berenguer-Bohrer. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Brisbane Roar is still part of the conversation, according to sources well connected to the Queensland club, with the in-demand German just a point from equalling the 39-point record of his first Reds season, 2018.

Despite Kurz making plans to leave Adelaide for another club prepared to invest heavily for his services, the German has galvanised the Reds.

“We have a clear goal that is to reach the finals with a home game,’’ Kurz said.

“The squad, the coaches, the whole (football) staff are very hungry to fight for this goal. When you see the budget from the other clubs and Adelaide has a chance from fourth position, I’m very proud to be the coach of Adelaide.”

Newcastle still has a slim hope of edging a club out of the top six if it beats Perth Glory away on Sunday.

Reds winger Craig Goodwin is just a goal away from being the second player since the A-League kicked off in 2005 to reach 10 goals before the finals, alongside goal machine Serginho van Dijk (16 goals in 2010/11).

With six points up for grabs before the premiership table is settled, Adelaide sits fourth – a point above Wellington Phoenix and City, and in the box seat to host a home final.

Victory claimed last year’s championship from fourth spot, kicking off its finals campaign with a painful 2-1 win over Adelaide at AAMI Park, former striker Besart Berisha breaking Reds hearts with an 89th-minute winner.

United can control where it should finish by beating Kevin Muscat’s Victory, a feat which Kurz’s men achieved in January (2-0). The German has never lost to the reigning champion in Adelaide.

The soccer gods have this weekend have also done Adelaide a huge favour when Phoenix host City on Easter Sunday.

A draw in Wellington would suit Adelaide best as the Reds wind up their 27 matches with a clash against lowly Roar away on Anzac Day.

The fight for fourth

Fourth: Adelaide 38pts

Fifth: Phoenix 37pts

Sixth: City 37pts

The matches which will have a say on a home final

Round 26

Adelaide United v Melbourne Victory at Coopers Stadium

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne City at Westpac Stadium

Round 27

Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United at Suncorp Stadium

Melbourne City v Central Coast at AAMI Park

Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix at HBF Park