It is the A-League's time to shine. The coronavirus has caused much of the football world to grind to a halt. There are several leagues and countries dotted across the globe still playing matches for the time being, however.
Australia is one of the countries that has seen sports soldier on despite the coronavirus crisis. The A-League's teams are playing behind closed doors with fans banned from attending matches live.
Although it isn’t the ideal way for games to be played, it does offer the A-League the chance to shine with football fans tuning in from all over the globe.
Football fans can still watch and wager on top-level football action thanks to the A-League. Punters can use the rivers casino online to get a bet bonus before wagering on this weekend’s A-League games.
Football fans going through withdrawal from a lack of games to watch or those simply bored by no sports to view have the chance to watch the A-League this weekend. The Aussie football league has never had a bigger opportunity to catch the eyes of fans and to grow interest in its clubs.
The Chase for the Finals Series
The A-League has just six rounds left to play in the 2020 season. The competition makes use of a playoff structure and teams will compete in the postseason once the regular season comes to a close. Reaching the playoffs may not be that simple, however.
A travel ban to countries outside of Australia has placed two of the A-League's clubs in quarantine. Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory played last weekend in New Zealand and now the two clubs will spend the next two weeks in isolation.
Wellington’s players will remain in Australia for the remainder of the A-League season before being allowed to return home.
Sydney FC currently leads the A-League by 10 points over nearest rival Melbourne City. The A-League's top-six teams qualify for the playoffs, known as the Finals Series, with the first- and second-place finishers in the table automatically reaching the semifinals stage.
Heading into round 22, there is a fight for the final playoff place as Western United are clinging onto the final postseason place courtesy of goal difference. Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers have the first-year A-League club within sight, however.
Who Are the A-League's Most Successful Clubs?
The A-League's first season was played in 2005-06 with Sydney FC lifting the competition’s trophy. The club has since won the trophy three more times, with the most recent coming last season.
Rivals Melbourne Victory has also lifted the A-League trophy on four occasions, tying them with Sydney FC as the most successful club in the competition’s history. The Brisbane Roar have collected three titles.
Since the A-League's formation and first season in 2005-06, only two clubs have failed to win the title.
The Western Sydney Wanderers, which joined the A-League in 2012, and Perth Glory have both missed out on winning the title. Perth Glory has participated in every A-League season since the competition debuted.
With football at a standstill in other parts of the world, plenty of eyes will be on the A-League. Although fans will be banned from attending the matches, the games should offer plenty of excitement as the playoffs near.
The coronavirus may have ended football in Europe and North America, but Australia still offers fans the chance to watch games.
