<p>Two months in and the 2025/26 A-League season continues to bring the plot twists. Form lines are fluctuating week to week and just when a team looks settled, they drop points to a struggler.</p> <p>Conversely, teams written off weeks ago are suddenly surging up the ladder. Will round 8 provide any stability to this season, or will it be unpredictable chaos once again?</p> <p>Can Perth continue their recent revival when they host table-toppers Sydney and can Victory stop the rot, finally find the back of the net and get one over their original rivals Adelaide?</p> <p>For all the latest A-League analysis, news and betting tips, check out our A-League Round 8 predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Central Coast Mariners vs Auckland FC Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, December 12, 7:35pm AEDT – Central Coast Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Central Coast return home in Round 8 looking to turn competitive performances into actual points.</p> <p>The Mariners have been in the majority of contests this season, rarely getting blown off the park. However, these spirited performances have not translated to the accumulation of competition points, and the frustration is starting to build in Gosford.</p> <p>On the other side of the pitch and the ditch Auckland FC seem to have finally clicked. After a slow start to the campaign where they looked disjointed, the New Zealand outfit has blown off the early season rust.</p> <p>Their new recruits are starting to fire, finding the chemistry that was lacking in the opening rounds.</p> <p>Suddenly, this squad looks a lot more like last year's side, a cohesive and capable unit that can hurt teams on the break.</p> <p>While the Mariners will fight for every ball, Auckland’s returning quality should be too much. Expect the visitors to control the tempo and take the three points back across the ditch.</p> <p><strong>Win-draw-win prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/central-coast-mariners-v-auckland-fc-9936012">2-0 Auckland.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lachlan Brook anytime goal scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 13, 5:00pm AEDT – CommBank Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If you looked up "inconsistency" in the A-League dictionary, you would find the crest of the Western Sydney Wanderers.</p> <p>In the most predictable sequence of events possible, the Wanderers managed to win the Sydney Derby, only to turn around the following week and lose to a 10-man Perth Glory side.</p> <p>It is the kind of erratic form that drives fans (and punters) up the wall. Brisbane Roar, on the other hand, finds themselves in a very different headspace. They are flying.</p> <p>Is it pretty football? With only eight goals scored in seven games, not exactly</p> <p>However, neither Coach Valkanis nor the Roar faithful will care about the aesthetics of their current brand of football, after years of struggling near the bottom of the table. They are grinding out results and making themselves difficult to beat.</p> <p>Given the Wanderers' inability to string two good games together and Brisbane’s stubborn defensive setup, a low-scoring stalemate looks like the value play here.</p> <p><strong>Win-draw-win prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/western-sydney-wanderers-v-brisbane-roar-9934854">1-1.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Both teams to score – yes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 13, 7:35pm AEDT – AAMI Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United is a rivalry that often delivers drama, red cards, and plenty of goals. However, this encounter is shaping to be rather one-sided.</p> <p>Victory’s attack has completely stalled, having failed to score in four consecutive games. It is a drought that puts immense pressure on the entire squad.</p> <p>The word around the league is that the manager, Diles, is hanging onto his job by a thread. A loss here against one of their fiercest rivals could be the final straw. The tension in the stands will be palpable if an early goal doesn't arrive to settle the nerves.</p> <p>Adelaide United arrives in Melbourne off the back of some 95th minute heartbreak. The Reds suffered a last-gasp loss to the Roar last week, a result that would have stung the dressing room.</p> <p>They will be eager to bounce back immediately and with Victory's confidence at rock bottom in the final third, Adelaide has the firepower to exploit the home side's anxiety. Expect the Reds to pile more misery on Melbourne.</p> <p><strong>Win-draw-win prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/melbourne-victory-v-adelaide-united-9936013">2-0 Adelaide United.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Both teams to score – no.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Perth Glory vs Sydney FC Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, December 13, 9:45pm AEDT – HBF Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The form team of the competition over the last three weeks is in action here and we’re not talking about table-topping Sydney.</p> <p>Perth have made Griffiths their mountain goat lion of an interim coach permanent, after winning three on the bounce and taking the side that was previously last to fifth on the ladder.</p> <p>Sydney FC, meanwhile, is searching for answers. They will be desperate to rediscover their best form after a shock loss to the Wanderers was followed by a sluggish, scrappy win over the lowly Mariners. They have the quality on paper, but the execution hasn't been there in recent weeks.</p> <p>Going out West for the late Saturday game is never an easy task in the A-League. The travel factor, combined with Perth’s momentum, levels the playing field significantly. This shapes up to be an entertaining, high-scoring draw.</p> <p><strong>Win-draw-win prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/perth-glory-v-sydney-fc-9936015">2-2.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Over 2.5 goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Wellington Phoenix vs Newcastle Jets Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, December 14, 1:00pm AEDT – Wellington Regional Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of A-League Round 8 sees two sides plagued by inconsistency go head-to-head. Both Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets have shown glimpses of quality this season, only to follow it up with baffling performances.</p> <p>Newcastle looked completely out of ideas against Melbourne City last week. When their Plan A was nullified, they struggled to adapt, leaving them chasing shadows for much of the contest.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Wellington will also be licking their wounds after losing the New Zealand Derby yet again.</p> <p>Losing local bragging rights always hurts, and they will be keen to make amends in front of their home fans. Both teams are in desperate need of a win to keep pace with the top six.</p> <p>Home ground advantage is usually key for the Phoenix. With the travel factor working against the Jets and Wellington’s need to bounce back, the home side should edge this one in a tight contest.</p> <p><strong>Win-draw-win prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/australia/australian-a-league-men/wellington-phoenix-v-newcastle-jets-9935076">2-1 Wellington Phoenix.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Ifeanyi Eze anytime goalscorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne City v Macarthur FC – Postponed</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Due to Melbourne City’s travel commitments for the Asian Champions League, their match against Macarthur FC has been rescheduled.</p> <p>The match will now take place on Tuesday, December 23rd. This break gives both squads a chance to refresh, though City will be focused on their continental duties in the meantime.</p>