Sydney FC can push their claim for a home A-League Men semi-final with an away win over Perth Glory on Wednesday.
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The Sky Blues are on a high after an upset 2-0 win over second-placed Central Coast.
The third and fourth-placed teams host elimination finals in the first week of the ALM playoffs.
The Sky Blues will have their sights set higher on a possible second-place finish, but they would need to go on a winning streak and the Mariners would need to falter.
They are in fifth position on 34 points but can leap-frog fourth-placed Macarthur with a win over the Glory.
Socceroos defender Joel King and midfielder Anthony Caceres both scored against the Mariners.
Coach Ufuk Talay played his cards wisely with his substitutions on Saturday, knowing the away trip to Glory was just around the corner.
Star forward Robert Mak got an early mark after a match where the Slovakian winger threatened.
"(Defender) Jordan (Courtney-Perkins) ended up cramping up so we took him off and Robbie we ended up taking off after two goals because we're thinking ahead for Wednesday night against Perth," Talay said post-match.
Perth Glory lost 2-1 to Melbourne Victory on Sunday, playing a day after Sydney. Coach Alen Stajcic said the short turnaround would provide a challenge for his 10th-placed side.
"It is tough. We have one less day recovery than Sydney FC which in moments like these becomes important and critical," he said.
"I just know how much that day can play a part in recovery. That will test our squad depth and see how resilient we are both mentally and physically.
"We are playing against a red-hot team and it is probably going to be the hardest game we have had this year."
Stajcic said that his team's position belied how they had played during the season.
"We have been in every match, whether winning or losing," he said.
Australian Associated Press
