Melbourne Victory's credentials as genuine challengers for Sydney's top spot on the A-League ladder were always going to be sorely tested during their fixture pile-up in January and the examination has become much tougher following their 3-0 defeat to Wellington Phoenix on Tuesday night.
Kevin Muscat's men must now regroup and regain confidence and concentration for the difficult trip to Perth on Saturday night when they face a Glory side that is clinging on to a spot in the top six following the 2-2 away draw in Newcastle on Sunday.
![Melbourne Victory remain five points behind Sydney.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171208221422im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/t/h/a/f/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gttfhx.png/1484701012975.jpg)
The West Australians have now been passed by Wellington – who have the same number of points, 18, but a slightly better goal difference – and are just one point ahead of Newcastle in seventh spot.
Victory trailed from just after the half-hour mark but were finished off by two late goals that made the scoreline look more generous than it might have been.
Still, the result will put a dent in Victory's goal difference, although at plus 16 it is still impressive and the second best in the competition save for trailblazing Sydney's plus 27.
Victory intend to return to Melbourne for a couple of days' rest and recuperation before heading to Perth for the Saturday clash.
Muscat's squad depth will also be tested given that first choice winger Fahid Ben Khalfallah and right back Jason Geria both picked up yellow cards, their fifth of the season, so they will be suspended from the round 16 fixture.
Victory does look to have plenty of cover, however, and Daniel Georgievski could be deployed at right back, or "Mr Versatile" Leigh Broxham switched to fill Geria's role, with Georgievski coming in on the left flank. Georgievski replaced Geria in the 56th minute in Wellington.
There is no shortage of candidates to fill Ben Khalfallah's position on the pitch, with Mitch Austin (who replaced him off the bench in New Zealand), Jai Ingham and German import Maxi Beister all looking to make their mark in the second half of the season and the run to the finals.
The Wellington loss brings to an end Victory's long unbeaten streak. Muscat's side had not lost a game since November 5 and had won their last six matches in succession.
They now remain five points behind Sydney, who are at home to the champions Adelaide on Friday night.
That should, on paper, be a straightforward assignment for Graham Arnold's side, but the Reds have taken a lot of confidence from their last-gasp win over Melbourne City in round 15 and their unlucky home loss to Victory before that.
Guillermo Amor's team are determined to at least get the chance to mount a title defence, and as they are now eight points behind sixth placed Glory they can ill afford to continue dropping points with just 12 matches remaining.
Victory are still in a strong position even after that loss. They no longer hold a game in hand, but with 32 points remain nine points clear of third-placed Melbourne City (who face Central Coast at AAMI Park on Thursday night) and have a vastly superior goal difference.
The destination of the premiers' plate remains up for debate, although Sydney are clearly in the driver's seat.
However the game between Victory and Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Australia Day and the return bout in Sydney in early March will go a long way to determining who will finish top of the pile during the home and away season and thus put themselves in pole position to host the grand final in May.