Adelaide United and Western Sydney Wanderers are set to meet in the A-League Grand Final on Sunday in what looks like it will be a sold-out Adelaide Oval.
Both teams are hoping to snare their first Grand Final victory and will be desperate to go one better than their previous runners-up performances.
The Wanderers lost successive finals in 2013 and 2014 and United have lost to Melbourne Victory in 2007 and 2009.
These are two clubs who are desperate to lift that trophy on the final day of the season.
Both United and the Wanderers have had outstanding seasons and are the most deserving teams to be playing off in the grand final.
United have had one of the most incredible runs in A-League history after being dead last eight rounds into the season.
Enormous pressure was on coach of the year Guillermo Amor but he was able to turn things around and re-establish the all-for-one mentality first introduced by his predecessor Josep Gombau.
This was no more evident as when the stakes got higher towards the end of the season and the pressure was on every result.
They never faltered when all the others around them did to take the Premiers Plate for the first time in the clubs history.
The Wanderers have been in and around the top of the table for the entire season. Following a poor season last year coach Tony Popovic re-imagined the Wanderers' playing style and brought in high quality new playing personnel.
They became a possession-based team that would wear down opponents and subsequently were able to overrun them late in the game. There is no doubt after coming so close in seasons 2013 and 2014, this is one that Popovic really wants to win.
Attack crucial in likely low-scoring affair
Even though the three meetings between these two teams have ended up in two 0-0 draws and a 1-1 draw, the low scoring nature of their meetings makes it all the more important for the attacking players to stand up on the biggest stage of all. Both teams have got potential match winners up front.
The Wanderers have Brendon Santalab who is the super sub no more.
His goal-scoring form, work rate and never say die attitude has forced Popovic to give him a starting role in the run in to the finals and he has grabbed it with both hands.
United have their own attacking threat in Bruce Djite, who has overcome injuries this season and been the spiritual leader of the club he calls "his family".
United may be playing as a family but Djite's work rate, power and goals have helped propel this team to the top of the table.
The midfield battle
The midfield battle will also be key in the final as both sides like to control the ball and dictate the pace and tempo of the contest. I have seen the Wanderers boss the very best of teams away from home and they will need to do that again on the weekend.
The problem for them is how much that gruelling semi-final has taken out of them. It will be imperative that Mitch Nichols, who has been so important in their success this season, after coming off injured last week is able to compete for the duration of the match.
Mark Bridge and Romeo Castelen have both been outstanding for the Wanderers all season long and will need to have big games for their team to get over the line.
The United midfield is like a well-oiled machine and with so much off the ball movement they are almost impossible to contain for the entire 90 minutes. They have been getting better every week and seem to have timed their run to perfection.
Carrusca, Cirio, Mauk, and Isaias have gelled beautifully the longer the season has gone on and are the most impressive quartet in the competition.
Five out of the last seven winners have been the team that have taken out the Premiers Plate and I believe this year the trend will continue.
Even though both teams have had great form leading into the finals, United, with the home ground advantage and a less taxing semi-final will be too strong and will finally lift the trophy on their third attempt.
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