Melbourne Victory skipper Carl Valeri admits runaway A-League leaders Sydney FC hold a mental edge over his side.
The Sky Blues have beaten Victory three times in three meetings this season, most recently in last Friday's 1-0 defeat at Allianz Stadium, to sit 11 points clear on top of the table.
Sydney coach Graham Arnold believes that record will give his side a mental advantage heading into the finals series.
"He's right -- he's beaten us three times," said Valeri, who signed a one-year contract extension with Victory on Wednesday.
"They've been consistent all season, you can't say anything wrong about Sydney this year.
"We'll just have to wait and see.
"We could have performed a little bit better I thought, but in saying that, we'll get another opportunity."
Valeri, 32, said he was keen to finish his career in Melbourne after agreeing to the new deal, which will keep him at the club until at least the end of the 2017-18 season.
The former Socceroos midfielder has made 68 appearances for Victory and was part of the team that won the A-League double in the 2014-15 campaign.
"I don't see any other option for me," he said.
"I love Melbourne, my family loves Melbourne and we love being at Victory.
"It's the biggest club in Australia with a proud history and I'm looking forward, not reflecting on what we've achieved."
Victory can go a long way towards consolidating second spot on the ladder over the next two weeks against two of the teams jostling for third position.
They host the Perth Glory at AAMI Park on Saturday, then travel to face fourth-placed Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium next weekend.
"It's all up to us really. We're quite far in front of third place but these games are the ones you have to perform and win," Valeri said.
