Thrown in the deep end by Melbourne City, talented young goalkeeper Patrick Beach knew he could either sink or swim.

But after some early troubles, Beach has emerged stronger for the experience.

On Saturday, the 21-year-old will be tasked with blocking wave upon wave of desperate Sydney FC attacks to help City seal second place, behind premiers Auckland FC, and an Asian Champions League Elite berth.

Sydney (37 points) need at least a point to claim a finals berth ahead of Adelaide United (38), while only a win will guarantee City (45) second spot ahead of Western United (44), Western Sydney (43) and Melbourne Victory (42).

"Obviously our goal is to be the best, to be the premier but obviously that couldn't happen," Beach told AAP.

"But now we know there's Asian Champions League to secure leading into the finals.

"Hopefully we can get that done and get it over the line and can experience that again."

The young goalkeeper was named first-choice by coach Aurelio Vidmar at the start of the season, ahead of veteran Jamie Young, and has been backed in since.

Even a costly series of errors - including being charged down by the Victory's Ryan Teague for a derby goal, and letting a shot from Auckland's Neyder Moreno slip through his hands - wasn't enough to sway City from Beach, with Young ultimately retiring mid-season.

The young gun has since hit an excellent run of shot-stopping form, saving City points on multiple occasions.

Beach who recently earned the "dream come true" of training with the Socceroos, was never too fazed.

"It's a natural part of the game. You're not gonna go through your career or through a whole season without making mistakes," Beach said.

"If you think that then you're kidding yourself. It's just part of it.

"I know very well with my position that if I make a mistake or something is a bit off then the goal is right behind me and it's gonna end up in a goal more likely than others on the field.

"It's just having that understanding knowing that if that happens, how you're gonna deal with it.

"I back myself every single time it happens and then I'm back in the next moment. That's what it's all about. There's no point getting back in there and stressing out about it because it doesn't help me with anything."

Western United face Auckland on Saturday (6pm AEST), an hour after City kick off against Sydney.

Western Sydney also play Macarthur FC that night while the Victory host Newcastle on Sunday.

United coach John Aloisi won't let his players check in on the City game - but admits he'd love it if the entire round was played simultaneously

"I might do like the old school - how they used to have the radio by their side," he joked.

"I'm sure that if City don't get the result, there'll be someone in the stand that might yell out something or there might be some noise from somewhere."