With just two games left in the Dialog Champions League 2016/17, three teams still harbor hopes of winning Sri Lanka’s ultimate silverware, as Blue Star SC, Colombo FC and Renown SC are all in contention come Saturday evening.
With Goal Difference NOT going to play a part in deciding the champions this year, ThePapare.com has a look at the possible permutations that will work in each of the teams favour.
Blue Star have arguably been the best team in the competition and are the only undefeated team in the Super 8s going into the final game-week.
They have the unenviable task of having to take on Army in the final round who, since being eliminated from the title race, have been in scintillating form. A simple win will be enough for Blue Star to give themselves a great chance of sealing the title and playing first they will have the advantage of less pressure on them to achieve a result.
Anything short of that though, and they will be eliminated from the title race, but this is the pressure they have had to deal with for the past 2 game-weeks as well.
If Blue Star do in fact pick up a win over Army, they will need to hope that Colombo FC can get the better of Renown, or even secure a draw in the second fixture.
Either result will be enough to seal the championship for them as Blue Star will then finish at the top of the table with 17 points, with one of Renown or Colombo FC behind them on 16 points.
WATCH LIVE: ARMY SC V BLUE STAR SC
After being in control of the Super 8 stage for 5 out of the 6 game-weeks played, Colombo FC will go into the final game-week with their title hopes not entirely in their hands.
Colombo FC first and foremost will need Army to do them a favour in the first game of the evening by holding Blue Star to a draw or by beating the team from Kalutara.
A win for Blue Star will automatically eliminate Colombo FC from contention and Colombo FC will hope that their fate will still be in their hands when they step out on to the pitch at 7pm.
If they are still in contention come kick off, they will then need to defeat Renown in what would become a must-win final for them to secure the championship.
If they are able to defeat Renown with the Blue Star result also going in their favour, the final table will read Colombo FC on top with 16 points with Renown and/or Blue Star behind them on 15 points.
WATCH LIVE: RENOWN SC V COLOMBO FC
Renown are best placed going into the final game-week, but will be disappointed that their superior goal difference will not matter whichever permutation comes into play at the end of the day.
The equation for Renown is simple and very much in their own hands, if Blue Star win, Renown must win, and if Blue Star fail to win, a draw will be enough to seal the championship for them.
A big advantage for them will be that they will know exactly which result they need come kick off and they can set themselves up to achieve that.
If they are to win the title, the final standings will read Renown 18/16 points at the top of the table followed by Blue Star with 17/15 points.
