Melbourne City in box seat despite tough run-in to finals

Melbourne City is in the driver's seat to snare the final A-League playoff spot ahead of Brisbane Roar but coach John van't Schip knows it will be a race to the finish.

John van't Schip's side faces a difficult run home (Getty) Source: Getty Images Asia Pacific

With three rounds remaining, City now sits six points ahead of seventh-placed Brisbane after being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night.

But with Roar possessing a game in hand, City could have done with the breathing space three points would have afforded them.

Van't Schip's side faces a difficult run home hosting league leader Wellington Phoebix next week before away games to top five sides Perth Glory and Adelaide United.

"We have to only look at ourselves. We know we have to gain as much as possible points and then in the end we will see," the City boss said.

"You can't start calculating and until the end it's going to be a race and we have to be prepared.

"We still have three very big games to go - Wellington, Perth and Adelaide - who are all fighting to get into the highest possible position so there's not going to be one easy game for us."

Van't Schip admitted the ninth-placed Wanderers made his side work for the point but heading into this final stretch took heart in coming from a goal down to level.

"We are showing that we can be a team that can also fight and get back into a game after coming from behind," he said.

"In this period of the season it's very difficult. That's something that really adds to this team."

Western Sydney, meanwhile, added to its recent encouraging results having thumped Brisbane 4-1 last week and matching it with Glory on Saturday only to go down 3-2 courtesy of a late Glory winner.

It also had the better of Friday's encounter to continue its revival.

The Wanderers are well out of A-League finals contention but their Asian Champions League (ACL) title defence remains on track midway through the group stage.

Coach Tony Popovic says it will be important to carry the momentum into his side's ACL campaign beginning with its home game against FC Seoul on Tuesday.

"We've put ourselves in a good position to be able to go through in a very tough group and we have two home games coming up so we'll make sure we give it our all."