Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory A-League GF a formality

March 16, 2017 4:43 pm.by Todd Davey

A League grand final - Melbourne v Sydney

IT looks like a formality on paper and Sportsbet.com.au agrees.

Sydney FC and the Melbourne Victory are currently first and second on the A-League ladder and look a level above the competition, which has led to Sportsbet opening a grand final market on the long-time rivals.

The Sky Blues are the $2.10 favourites in the decider, while the Victory are the outsiders at $3.10. The draw after 90 minutes is paying $3.50.

Sportsbet have decided to look after the punters who make a futures bet on the market.

Any bet placed on the grand final market will be refunded if Sydney FC and the Melbourne Victory do not meet in the decider.

The Premier Plate heir apparent Sydney FC will not be resting on their laurels ahead of their finals tilt according to coach Graham Arnold.

“We’re at the business end of the season, and I’m pretty sure the players all want to stay in the team,” Arnold said.

“You look at the quality of our bench, and the players not even in the squad, and we have the quality to replace anyone if that’s the case.

“But I’m pretty sure they won’t.”

The man set to oppose Arnold in the final – Victory head man Kevin Muscat – said the biggest issue is keeping the players focused on the task at hand.

“How do you guard against complacency? Well, it’s pretty simple – if you don’t perform, you don’t play,” Muscat said.

“And for the team as a collective to play to its abilities for 90 minutes, individually, you’ve got to be spot on.

“You fall short one, two, three players and collective performance is pretty ordinary.”

Sportsbet.com.au representative Christian Jantzen believes the competitors for the big dance are already set in stone.

“We already know who this season’s Grand Finalists are, so why delay the inevitable?”