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A preview panel for round eight of the A-League.

Preview of A-League Round 8 matches (all times AEDT):

FRIDAY, December 14

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne Victory at Suncorp Stadium 7.50pm

Head to Head: Brisbane Roar 15 Melbourne Victory 18 drawn 9

Last clash: 9/2/18: Brisbane Roar 2 Melbourne Victory 1 at AAMI Park

The ninth-placed Roar are desperate to stop the rot after two straight losses but it may not be the right week to do so. They host a Victory team playing on seemingly another level, on a five-game winning streak. Not only have the visitors scored more goals than any team (16), but their three clean sheets also leads the way. That's the challenge in front of Brisbane striker Adam Taggart in his 100th A-League appearance. He'll be supported by Stefan Mauk, back from suspension, and won't have to contend with injured Victory defender Georg Neidermeier.

Key: Ola Toivonen. Has slotted into the Victory machine seamlessly, the classy Swedish forward conjuring a goal and an assist last week, while hinting there's plenty more to come.

Tip: Melbourne Victory

SATURDAY, December 15

Wellington Phoenix v Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium 5.35pm

Head to Head: Wellington Phoenix 11 Central Coast Mariners 15 drawn 7

Last clash: 23/2/18 Central Coast Mariners 1 Wellington Phoenix 0 at Central Coast Stadium

If the last-placed Mariners maintain their winless run, they'll equal their club record for 14 games without maximum points. Ongoing injuries to key players mean the Phoenix are in the rare position of starting a match as firm favourites. Last week's shock dismantling of Sydney FC will have the hosts fizzing and looking for ways to again put form striker Roy Krishna into space. Statistics show it's the clash of the two most wayward passing teams and, with just one clean sheet recorded between them, there should be goals. Impressive Polish 'keeper Filip Kurto returns from concussion for the hosts.

Key: Matthew Millar: Not a lot is going right for the Mariners but the output of their youthful right back at both ends of the pitch is hard to ignore.

Tip: Wellington Phoenix

Western Sydney Wanderers v Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium 7.50pm

Head to Head: Melbourne Victory 23 Adelaide United 13 drawn 10

Last clash: 27/10/18 Sydney FC 2 Western Sydney Wanderers 0 at the Sydney Cricket Ground

The Harbour City derby is the first repeat match of the season. Sydney FC have historically dominated, as they did with the 2-0 win in round two at the SCG, but momentum now is running the opposite way. The Sky Blues were awful in losing to the Phoenix last week while the Wanderers cruised home over the Mariners. Western Sydney boast a league-high 109 shots - fuelled by 30 to Oriol Riera - while Sydney FC's 67 is the lowest. The difference is conversion rate, where the inter-city rivals sit at the reverse ends of the stat sheet. A fourth straight Sydney FC win would be a derby record, with their cause helped by a return from injury of Siem de Jong.

Key: Patrick Ziegler. It's possibly no surprise the German's debut last week coincided with their first clean sheet of the season. His 17 clearances were the most by any A-League player in a match since April last year.

Tip: Draw

SUNDAY December 16

Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory at McDonald Jones Stadium 5pm

Head to Head: Newcastle Jets 8 Perth Glory 23 drawn 8

Last clash: 6/4/18 Perth Glory 2 Newcastle Jets 0 at McDonald Jones Stadium

Last year's surprise packets host this year's unexpected early leaders in what is one of the more lop-sided A-League relationships. The Jets have won just two of the last 20 meetings, with Perth unbeaten in their last 10 visits. Newcastle snuck inside the top six for the first time following a slick win over Brisbane and welcome Jason Hoffman and Lachlan Jackson back from injury. Defender Matthew Spiranovic is back on the injured list for Glory, having made a strong impact in their 1-0 win over Melbourne City.

Key: Chris Ikonomidis. Continued his spritely form with the lone goal against Melbourne City to make it five for the season, one ahead of strike partner Andy Keogh.

Tip: Newcastle Jets

Adelaide United v Melbourne City FC at Coopers Stadium 7pm

Head to Head: Adelaide United 10 Melbourne City 9 drawn 6

Last clash: 16/3/18 Adelaide United 1 Melebourne City 1 at Coopers Stadium

Still no sign of Bruno Fornaroli, who was badly missed last week and whose absence from the City squad continues to raise eyebrows. Adelaide's two-game winning streak was snapped with a 2-0 loss away to Melbourne Victory but they played well and will fancy their chances against a visiting team lacking the cutting edge of their Uruguayan front man. Getting the ball at their feet could be the issue for Adelaide, with Melbourne City boasting the top three most prolific passers in the league - Harrison Delbridge, Bart Schenkeveld and Kearyn Baccus.

Key: Isais. The Reds' midfield schemer created six chances against Victory but his team-mates couldn't deliver.

Tip: Adelaide United

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