On the Attack Power Rankings: Which team has had biggest rise and slide this season so far

While Western United is well and truly on the rise, Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC are on the slide. It’s that time for On the Attack’s latest A-League Power Rankings.

With the new year less than a week away, it’s time to rank the A-League teams on their current form. While Western United is well and truly on the rise, Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC are on the slide in On The Attack’s latest A-League Power Rankings.

Melbourne Victory retain their number one status. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

1. Melbourne Victory (Remain at 1st)

The Victory have remained consistent, but their challenge is now to continue their good form under interim coach Arthur Diles following the departure of Patrick Kisnorbo, who parted ways with the Melbourne club to join the coaching staff at Japanese outfit Yokohama F. Marinos.

2. Adelaide United (Up from 8th)

The Reds are the competition’s only unbeaten and have been rewarded with a significant rise up the rankings, however they are yet to claim a major scalp, having wasted the chance to beat Sydney FC last week when they blew a 3-1 lead in the dying stages to have to settle for a 3-3 draw.

Adelaide United could be the biggest surprise so far. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

3. Auckland FC (Remain at 3rd)

The Black Knights have enough credit in the bank to stay third in the rankings, however they are suddenly looking a little vulnerable after being thrashed 4-0 at home last Saturday by Western United. How they respond on Saturday in Gosford against the Mariners will be intriguing.

4. Western United (Up from 10th)

The John Aloisi-coached team are the in-form side of the competition, hence its large jump up the rankings. In the past two weeks United has beaten Sydney FC 4-3 and Auckland FC, both away from home. Aloisi’s men have a huge chance to make it three wins in succession when they host cellar dwellers Brisbane Roar on Sunday.

Western United are the in-form side of the comp. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

5. Melbourne City (Down from 4th)

City has been fairly steady in the past few weeks with a win over the Roar, and draws with Auckland FC and Melbourne Victory. A response was needed after a disappointing home loss to the Western Sydney Wanderers and City provided it.

6. Western Sydney Wanderers (Up from 7th)

The Wanderers produced their best performance of the season last Sunday in thrashing Wellington Phoenix 4-1, but a week earlier they were held at home to a 2-2 draw by the struggling Brisbane Roar. Alen Stajcic’s men must find some consistency.

The Wanderers will be looking for consistent form for the rest of the season. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

7. Macarthur FC (Down from 6th)

The Bulls have been steady but have drawing games that they should be winning. A 4-4 home draw against the Roar last month was particularly disappointing. They need to string some wins together to be genuine title contenders.

8. Sydney FC (Down from 2nd)

The Sky Blues have slid down the rankings after some disappointing form. It was only the magic of Douglas Costa last Friday night in Adelaide that prevented the Sky Blues from losing a third successive A-League match. The Sydneysiders will need to lift if they are to win Saturday night’s “Big Blue” against Melbourne Victory.

Sydney FC have had a dramatic slide down the ranks. Picture: Sarah Reed/Getty Images

9. Central Coast Mariners (Remain at 9th)

The Mariners are still well off the team that won the treble last season despite beating Sydney FC 2-1 earlier this month. A 4-0 loss in Gosford to Adelaide United less than a week later was a truer indication of Central Coast’s status this season.

10. Newcastle Jets (Up from 11th)

The Jets have largely struggled but received a much-needed confidence boost with a 4-0 thrashing of the Glory in Perth earlier this month. The bye came at the wrong time for Rob Stanton’s men last weekend, but they might fancy their chances against the out-of-form Phoenix in Wellington on Saturday.

The Phoenix haven’t lived up to their form from last season. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

11. Wellington Phoenix (Down from 5th)

The Phoenix are in a rut, having lost their past three A-League games. Last weekend’s performance in their 4-1 loss to the Western Sydney Wanderers was particularly disappointing. The Phoenix currently look a shadow of the team that finished second on the ladder last season

12. Perth Glory (Up from 13th)

The Glory finally broke through for their first win of the season last Saturday in a contest between the competition’s two worst sides when they beat Brisbane Roar 1-0 at Suncorp Stadium. However, the quality of the match was horrible, so Perth should not get carried away with the result

13. Brisbane Roar (Down from 12th)

Once the pride of the A-League, the Roar are now clearly the competition’s poorest team. Despite Brisbane’s woeful form, coach Ruben Zadkovich remains in charge, but things need to change quickly at the club, on and off the field, before it’s too late.

Originally published as On the Attack Power Rankings: Which team has had biggest rise and slide this season so far