With finals just 4 weeks away, it's worth thinking ahead as a quick check of the rules shows that for Rounds 28 and 29 (the first 2 weeks of finals) coaches are allowed 6 free trades, rather than 1. Only for the Grand Final will coaches be allowed to make as many changes as they like. So make sure your team is as best prepared for this as possible. Of course, given how close the race for the top 6 is it's quite difficult to tell at this stage who will be in the finals, and who will be playing in the first week. We know that the Roar will be in the top 6, but they will have a bye in Round 28, along with whoever finishes in the top two with them. It'd also be wise to trade out the players of teams eliminated from top 6 contention; at the moment, all teams are still mathematical chances of making it, though Perth are highly unlikely to.
If you have any questions on something not covered here, or just want some specific advice for your team, join me in the weekly Zeebox Live Fantasy A-League chat on Friday at 2pm Eastern, so click the link at the appropriate time and join the discussion! Otherwise you can use the comments section at the bottom of the page or contact me on Twitter. You can find the full list of squads for this round here.
Adelaide United v Sydney FC
Sydney unavailable: Rhyan Grant, Ranko Despotovic, Terry McFlynn, Peter Triantis, Pedj Bojic (injured)
Captaincy options: Fabio Ferreira, Cirio, Marcelo Carrusca, Richard Garcia
Fabio Ferreira is expected to play tomorrow night despite being concussed last week and training away from the main group on Tuesday. Ferreira has been excellent against Sydney this season, scoring in both previous encounters for returns of 7 and 12 points. Michael Zullo was dropped last week as a tactical change, so there is a good chance he will replace Tarek Elrich at left back; Michael Marrone may continue at right back. The Reds have been much more potent at home than away this season, so Ferreira, Cirio and Marcelo Carrusca all come into captaincy calculations.
Remaining games: Sydney (H), Wellington (A), Heart (H), Newcastle (A)
Ranko Despotovic's injury has seen Richard Garcia replace him as striker, making him a decent fantasy option again. Corey Gameiro played wide on the right, while Alec Urosevski filled in for the injured Alessandro Del Piero on the left. Del Piero is in the squad however he may not play a full game (or at all), and he's also never scored against Adelaide. Sydney's back line now looks set with Seb Ryall and Matt Jurman at right and left back respectively; the latter is a cheap defensive option, just don't expect many points from him - Sydney have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 7 outings.
Remaining games: Adelaide (A), Victory (A), Wellington (H), Perth (H)
Newcastle Jets v Wellington Phoenix
Phoenix unavailable: Paul Ifill, Carlos Hernandez, Louis Fenton, Leo Bertos, Josh Brindell-South, Reece Caira, Albert Riera (injured), Ben Sigmund (suspended)
Captaincy options: Adam Taggart, Tyler Boyd
Joel Griffiths scored his first goal since returning to the Jets in the 3-1 loss to the Mariners; I wouldn't be rushing to grab him though given he is being played wide on the right, while Adam Taggart is central, playing behind Emile Heskey. David Carney played wide on the left; should he continue there, he's worth a look at his price. Andrew Hoole was dropped to the bench again; if you have him, consider trading him, as he may be in and out of the side now, while Sam Gallaway seems to be stable at left back. Joshua Brilliante registered his second assist in 2 games, however playing at right back makes him the bad kind of out of position. He could be an effective midfield bench option, but no more. Mark Birighitti has lost his spot to Ben Kennedy after making 2 costly errors against the Mariners. The Jets play 3 of their last 4 at home, while their only away trip is to Perth. Unfortunately, perhaps aside from Taggart, they don't really have any major fantasy options.
Remaining games: Wellington (H), Perth (A), Victory (H), Adelaide (H)
The injuries continue to pile up at the Nix, with Carlos Hernandez ruled out again and both scorer Roy Krishna and defender Shaun Timmins under injury clouds. Stein Huysegems place in our fantasy sides is now in question, as he has scored just twice in his last 7 outings. It might be worthwhile downgrading him to a cheaper team mate - Krishna or Tyler Boyd, who are playing as the two forwards currently with Huysegems at 10 and Kenny Cunningham playing in midfield. If you've held onto Carlos I'd seriously consider moving him on given he is listed at 2 to 3 weeks. Michael Boxall and (if fit) Timmins are two very cheap defensive options.
Remaining games: Newcastle (A), Adelaide (H), Sydney (A), Victory (H)
Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory
Victory unavailable: Adama Traore (injured)
Captaincy options: Thomas Broich, Gui Finkler, Tom Rogic, James Troisi
Young defender Corey Brown is out for a month after he stopped breathing during an operation. Ivan Franjic and Jade North have been ruled out after being noted earlier in the week as under injury clouds, along with Shane Stefanutto. Adding to this is that Besart Berisha is suspended for one week. If you don't have any pressing concerns it might be worthwhile trading out Berisha for this week, and bringing him back a week later, especially considering the Roar have 2 home games to come. Previously Thomas Broich has played as a false nine in Berisha's absence, though the Roar now have Jean Carlos Solorzano as cover.
Remaining games: Victory (H), Heart (H), Wanderers (A), Mariners (H)
Kosta Barbarouses, James Troisi and Archie Thompson all played a full game on Tuesday night in the ACL, while Tom Rogic came off the bench in the 73rd minute. Gui Finkler is out of the ACL squad of course, so he can be counted on to play every A-League game if available. Barbarouses has come off the bench in his last four A-League appearances and will likely get limited minutes again this week; a shame as he is in decent form, scoring twice in those matches along with 2 in Victory's last 2 ACL games. Scott Galloway is another cheap defender who is playing consistently, while Adama Traore has been ruled out for this week. Lawrence Thomas seems to be Muscat's preferred option in goals at the moment. Victory have to play 3 times away in their last 4 A-League games, and also play in Japan 3 days before their game against the Jets.
Remaining games: Roar (A), Sydney (H), Newcastle (A), Wellington (A)
Melbourne Heart v Central Coast Mariners
Mariners unavailable: Marcos Flores, Adam Kwasnik, Michael Neill, Hayden Morton (injured), Michael McGlinchey (out on loan)
Captaincy options: David Williams, Mate Dugandzic, Harry Kewell, Kim Seung-yong, Bernie Ibini
Harry Kewell played his first 90 minutes for the Heart since Round 16 last week, earning an assist. He's still rather pricey, but an option if you are moving on Hernandez and looking to do something different. David Williams scored from the spot and Jonatan Germano managed to get something onto Mate Dugandzic's long range strike, enough to claim a goal. Germano should only be used as a bench cover option, given that he often plays deep in midfield. Orlando Engelaar has gone cold in the last two weeks; seemingly he only produces points when the Heart win. Forgotten forward Michael Mifsud has been released. The Heart have a tough run over the last four rounds; they are going to have to produce some big upsets to make the finals.
Remaining games: Mariners (H), Roar (A), Adelaide (A), Wanderers (H)
Storm Roux played a full game in the Mariners ACL tie in China last night, so he would be a doubtful starter on Sunday (especially with Marcel Seip an unused substitute); a trade to teammate Eddy Bosnar may be in order, especially after Bosnar scored from extreme range against the Jets last week. It was a very fortunate goal however Bosnar certainly can score from long range free kicks in a more standard way. Bernie Ibini started but came off after 61 minutes, perhaps with one eye on this game, while Kim Seung-yong was an unused substitute. He'll likely play a major role against the Heart. Glen Trifiro started last night after scoring as a substitute against the Jets; he is a cheap bench option but lacks the guarantee of game time like more expensive options such as Brillante and Germano. The Mariners play away in three of their four remaining A-League games, though their one ACL game in this period is at home.
Remaining games: Heart (A), Wanderers (H), Perth (A), Brisbane (A)
Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory
Glory unavailable: Travis Dodd, Scott Jamieson, Sidnei, Shane Smeltz (injured), Danny Vukovic (out on loan)
Captaincy options: Brendon Santalab, Aaron Mooy, Mark Bridge
Labinot Haliti and Shinji Ono played a full game for the Wanderers last night in the ACL, as did Tomi Juric after making his return off the bench against Adelaide. Juric seemed to be struggling in the latter stages and therefore is a doubtful starter for this game, especially considering Brendon Santalab played just 8 minutes and Mark Bridge was an unused substitute. Youssouf Hersi and Jerome Polenz were also unused subs, while Aaron Mooy came off the bench in the 56th minute. Matthew Spiranovic was not in the squad. Daniel Mullen, who is now an injury replacement in the A-League, played 82 minutes at right back. For those who have Wanderers players or are considering them, we can guess that Polenz, Bridge, Hersi, Mooy, Spiranovic and Santalab are all likely starters on Sunday, while Ono, Haliti and Juric may have to make do with the bench. Normally I would recommend avoiding Wanderers players as captain, but given Perth's current poor form perhaps Bridge, Mooy and Santalab are worth considering; all scored in the Wanderers' 3-1 home win over Perth in Round 16. Santalab's hearing is on Monday, and if found guilty of discrimination he could face a lengthy ban. The Wanderers play 2 home and 2 away in their final 4 A-League games, with a trip to Japan 4 days before their clash with the Roar.
Remaining games: Perth (H), Mariners (A), Roar (H), Heart (A)
Perth's struggles continued after losing to a late goal against the Victory last week; Perth have claimed only 3 points in their last 9 outings. They aren't providing us with any real options in fantasy either, aside from super-cheap keeper Jack Duncan. Jack Clisby kept his place in the side for the 3rd straight week, though has returned only 3 points in that time. Matthew Davies is similarly a cheap but mostly useless midfield bench option. With Perth highly unlikely to make the top 6, I'd not be trading in any of their players at this stage.
Remaining games: Wanderers (A), Newcastle (H), Mariners (H), Sydney (A)