Melbourne City will lick their wounds, pick themselves up from missing out on the A-League Men premiership and throw themselves at the chance to seal a top-two berth.

City could have stayed in the race for the premiers plate and all but sealed a top-two berth if they had beaten Adelaide United on Saturday night but they were held to a 0-0 draw.

Instead, Aurelio Vidmar's charges will face Sydney FC at AAMI Park with plenty to play for.

Auckland (50 points) lead City (45), Western Sydney (43), Melbourne Victory (42) and Western United (41).

The top Australian team will earn an Asian Champions League Elite berth while finishing second will deliver the first week of finals off.

"Disappointing, because obviously a win would have put us in a much better position. So, there's a hell of a lot to play for next week," Vidmar said.

"That's all we've got to do - regroup again like we normally do. Analyse the game and try to push forward. Big game next week.

"They were super motivated today and they know what's at stake.

"I'll never, ever be critical when the effort is at the level it was tonight. So we have to bring that energy again, we have to bring that enthusiasm again next week.

"It's gonna be a tough game. And they're all tough.

"They might feel a little bit disappointed tonight because we all felt we should have won the game.

"But they've got to pick themselves up and nothing's lost. We've had a super season so far with still a lot to play for."

Vidmar noted Sydney were a "tough opponent" who were similar to Adelaide with their attacking threats.

"Adelaide going forward are very, very dangerous. But I thought we handled that really well tonight ... We didn't allow them to play the type of game they want to," he said.

"We'll have to do the same next week."

Midfielder Steven Ugarkovic missed the match with a hamstring injury suffered in City's final training session and will be in a race against time to feature in finals.

"It's a bit disappointing for Steve as well. It was really out of nothing," Vidmar said.

"So, it was part of the last injury that he had and just felt it slightly.

"I'd say it'd be two-to-three weeks."

Mathew Leckie (hamstring) should return to full training next week and push to be in the squad against Sydney but Samuel Souprayen (calf) is unlikely to feature.