A-League: Sydney FC solid at top but Melbourne City and Victory in the hunt

One third of the way through the season and statistics favour Sydney FC to go on and win the title.

Melbourne City stars Tim Cahill and Bruno Fornaroli give their side plenty of attacking firepower. Picture: Stuart Walmsley

A-League coaches will tell you that the state of play after nine round is not enough to define a team’s season.

They’ll declare it takes time for a team to gel, that there are still plenty of games to go and that their team will come good when it matters, at the sharp end of the competition.

But while Adelaide United, who came from bottom of the table to claim the Premier’s Plate-championship double last season, are proof that there could be some merit in the theory, the statistics show that the Reds were more the exception than the rule.

Which is why it is worth digesting where the 10 clubs stand one third of the way through the A-League season and whether we can get a good guide as to who will win the title.

Based on the statistics, 10 of the 11 championship winners have come from teams that were in the top three on the table after the first nine games of the season.

Interestingly, more than half (six) came from teams that were leading the league at the same stage.

Statistically, current leaders Sydney FC have every right to feel confident after their nine-game unbeaten start to the season.

They have opened up a six-point break over nearest rivals Melbourne City, who have the chance to reduce that when the two sides meet at Allianz Stadium on Friday.

Apart from leading the table, Sydney’s points tally (23) is second only to the record set by Melbourne Victory, who had accumulated 24 from eight wins in the second season of the league.

Defensively, Sydney hold the record for fewest goals conceded (three) while in attack their 20 goals are the most they have scored after nine rounds and is the fourth best tally behind Melbourne City’s 23 (last season).

The key for the Sky Blues will be to get more out of their marquee players Bobo and Filip Holosko, who have been disappointing of late.

Melbourne City loom as a serious threat. They got the monkey off the back with that FFA Cup win over Sydney last week. The quartet of Tim Cahill, Bruno Fornaroli, Nicolas Colazo and Fernando Brandan form the best attack in the league.

Melbourne Victory have been their own worst enemy with some costly defensive mistakes, but once they get that out of their system they will be serious challengers, especially with Marco Rojas in superb form.

Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory have had their moments, but have been a little inconsistent. However, they have decent squads and will be contenders.

The Wanderers play some decent football but are hamstrung by issues in the final third.

If they can pull off a major signing like Robbie Keane, unlikely as it may seem at the moment, that would make them one serious team.

How they have fared:

Sydney FC (1st, 23 points): The only unbeaten team. Their success has been built on a rock solid defence while Milos Ninkovic has been all class in attack. Rating: 8.5/10

Melbourne City (2nd, 17): Tim Cahill has given them mental strength. Have a lot of fire power upfront and players with strong character. Defence can be shaky. 7.5/10

Melbourne Victory (3rd, 14): Rojas has been fantastic. Their attack has been terrific but some defensive issues have let them down. Crucial period looming. 7/10

Brisbane Roar (4th, 14): Haven’t been at the top of their game and struggled to finish off matches. Have had some off-field issues to contend with. 6.5/10

Perth Glory (5th, 12): They have been too inconsistent. Injuries haven’t helped but they have a decent squad that can go on a good run. 6.5/10

Western Sydney (6th, 11): Played some good football but struggled because of a lack of a class striker. Nicolas Martinez has been a ­superb buy. 6.5/10

Central Coast (7th, 6): Tipped to finish with the wooden spoon but doing better than expected. Paul Okon has done a good job. Depth could be an issue later. 6/10

Adelaide United (8th, 6): Picked up their first win of the season on Sunday. Injuries have been an issue but you get the feeling they will go on a big run from here. 6/10

Newcastle Jets (9th, 6): Started well but have now gone seven without a win. Injuries have hurt but need to show more. 4.5/10

Wellington Phoenix (10th, 6): A quality squad but have returned little and that has cost coach Ernie Merrick his job. They are capable of much better. 4.5/10