There are now only four days until the 12th season of the Hyundai A-League kicks-off, and the upcoming season is being billed as one of the tightest Australian football has ever seen.

At least seven teams have a genuine chance of taking out the crown, although only one will be lucky enough to achieve their dream.

As we've got only four days to go, here are four games that we believe will have a massive impact on the final results this season!

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC

Round 1

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: A Sydney FC supporter holds up a banner during the round 20 A-League match between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium on February 20, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 20: A Sydney FC supporter holds up a banner during the round 20 A-League match between Sydney FC and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium on February 20, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

What better way to these teams to kick off their 2016/17 Hyundai A-League season with a Sydney Derby.

Since the first installment of the contest back in October 2012, this rivalry has developed into one of the most fire-some and electric games on the calendar each season, and all three games during the upcoming campaign are set to follow the same trend.

Western Sydney will host the opening fixture but they'll be doing so without captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley after the defender was sent off in their FFA Cup quarter final loss to Melbourne City.

Apart from Topor-Stanley both sides should field close to their best starting XI, and with the next derby not until Round 15, this early contest will give either side bragging rights in Sydney for a long time.

Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City

Round 2

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Besart Berisha of the Victory celebrates a goal during the round three A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City at Etihad Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Besart Berisha of the Victory celebrates a goal during the round three A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City at Etihad Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Not only is this match the first Melbourne Derby of the new season, but it will also see the introduction of Tim Cahill to the A-League.

Cahill will miss City's season opener against the Phoenix this weekend due to international duty with the Socceroos and his return the following week will add just that extra bit of spice to what already should be a hot contest.

Last season saw both sides win one game each and draw the final contest of the year, so bragging rights are undoubtedly still up for grabs in Melbourne.

The two sides will meet in an FFA Cup semi-final just 10 days after their Round 2 showdown, so the winner in this one will no doubt take a handy advantage into their next meeting.

Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC

Round 17

Filip Holosko (L) and Fahid Ben Khalfallah (R) during the round 16 A-League match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium on January 26, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.
Filip Holosko (L) and Fahid Ben Khalfallah (R) during the round 16 A-League match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC at Etihad Stadium on January 26, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.

'The Big Blue' as this game is more affectionately known has developed into the biggest derby the A-League has ever seen, given that both teams have existed since the league's inception in 2005.

A draw between both sides has been the most common result in the 39-game history as the teams have shared the points on 17 separate occasions, with the Victory winning 13 times and Sydney just nine.

Last season's meetings saw a win, loss and draw to each side, although Melbourne's 2015 Grand Final win over Sydney will still remain fresh in Sky Blue hearts.

This will be the fifth edition of the game to be played on Australia Day, in what is now considered a tradition between both sides.

Given it's towards the back end of the season, this match will be crucial for both sides when it comes down to ladder position at the end of the season.

Perth Glory v Brisbane Roar

Round 26

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Rhys Williams of the Glory is challenged by the defence of Jacob Pepper of the Roar during the FFA Cup round of 32 match between the Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory at Ballymore Stadium on August 10, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 10: Rhys Williams of the Glory is challenged by the defence of Jacob Pepper of the Roar during the FFA Cup round of 32 match between the Brisbane Roar and Perth Glory at Ballymore Stadium on August 10, 2016 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

In the second last round of the season, this match could well and truly decide the minor premiership.

Both Perth and Brisbane have built up strong squads over the off-season and both sides will be confident that each list can get them at least a top four position.

There's no doubt it will be a tough competition this year, but with both sides well and truly in the mix, this match is one to pencil in as a possible finals preview when Round 26 rolls around.