In short, it would mean another four years in opposition, extending their exile in the territory's political wilderness to 23 years.

That's the same length of time the Liberal-National coalition was in power before Gough Whitlam's Labor won the famed "It's time" election in 1972.

But what would defeat on Saturday, as in predicted by the bookmakers, mean for the Liberals and the party moving forward?

Would it spell the end of Alistair Coe's tenure as leader, and if so what would he do next? Would it prompt a rethink of the party's direction, a rebranding of sorts aimed at shedding a reputation that it's too right wing to govern in Australia's most progressive jurisdiction?

Alistair Coe has told The Canberra Times that he would remain in the ACT Legislative Assembly if he retains his seat in Yerrabi on Saturday, which he's certain to do.

As to whether he continues as party leader if the Liberals succumbed once again to Labor, Coe said that was a decision for his colleagues.

If the Liberals lose, the positions of leader and deputy leader would be spilled, potentially as soon as early next week. A party room vote would likely take place the following week, giving contenders time to lobby their colleagues for support.

Assuming the election result is tight, there's no reason to believe Coe won't put his hand up to lead the party again. He is highly ambitious, still only 36 years old, and far too talented to sit on an Opposition backbench.

If he has notions of pinching Zed Seselja's seat in the senate - and there's been no suggestion that he has - he'll have to bide his time for at least a few months before launching a preselection challenge. The earliest possible date for the next federal election is August 7 next year.

As has been speculated for some time, it's highly likely the party's education and environment spokeswoman Elizabeth Lee would put her name forward in a leadership challenge.

From the party's moderate flank, the South Korean-born Lee was the preferred leadership choice for a small group of rebel Liberal MLA's who last year canvassed the possibility of replacing Coe ahead of the 2020 election.

With Lee as leader, Labor's portrayal of the Canberra Liberals as ultra conservative would be substantially diluted. However, Labor would likely point to comments Lee has made in the past about climate change as proof she's not as progressive as she might be perceived.

If Mark Parton polls strongly on Saturday, the former breakfast radio host might believe he's the man to lead the Liberals to the 2024 election. His fellow Brindabella MLA Andrew Wall, a conservative, might feel the same way.

The question for both is whether they'd have enough, even any, supporters in a party room vote.

A possible return to the leadership for Jeremy Hanson shouldn't be ruled out either. Hanson, who wanted to stay on after the 2016 loss, has maintained a low profile in the past four years, but remains popular and respected in the electorate.

After Coe, who Labor has framed as an "L-Plater", the Liberals might want a leader who has experience, both in the opposition leader's role and in life outside of politics.

While the Liberals might not have the same rigid factional system as Labor, their MLAs can typically be grouped within two loosely defined blocs - conservatives and moderates.

The conservatives clearly had the numbers in the past Legislative Assembly. But the balance of power could shift on Saturday, with potential ramifications for any leadership challenge between a conservative, such as Coe, and a moderate, such as Lee.

Vicki Dunne's retirement in Ginninderra means the conservatives are already one down. Should Patrick Pentony, who is strongly aligned to Lee, win a seat in Kurrajong at the expense of right-winger Candice Burch, the moderates will have another vote to count on.

Of course, those in the Liberal party room might choose to ignore allegiances and vote simply for the candidate most likely to finally lead them to an ACT election win.