The first game on Sunday for A-League Round 8 is between Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets. The opening kick-off is set to commence at 7.45pm with the game to be played at Bluetongue Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Melbourne Victory. View our preview and teams for the game between Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets.

Round: Round 9, Saturday December 7 at 7.45pm AEDT
Stadium: Bluetongue Stadium
Head to head: Played: 25, Wins: Mariners 8, Sky Blues 10, Draws: 7
Previous encounter: Sky Blues 2-0 Mariners, March 9 2013

Melbourne Victory $1.75 vs Newcastle Jets $4.75 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Melbourne Victory $1.70 vs Newcastle Jets $4.75 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

Melbourne Victory	1.75	1.70	1.70	1.70	1.58	1.73
Draw	3.60	3.65	3.55	3.65	3.60	3.60
Newcastle Jets	4.75	5.00	4.75	5.00	4.75	4.50

Teams:

Melbourne Victory:
1. Nathan COE (GK), 2. Pablo CONTRERAS, 3. Adama TRAORE, 4.Nick ANSELL, 5. Mark MILLIGAN, 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 7. Gui FINKLER, 9. Kosta BARBAROUSES, 10. Archie THOMPSON, 11. Connor PAIN, 14. James TROISI, 15. Mitch NICHOLS, 16. Rashid MAHAZI, 17. James JEGGO, 20. Lawrence THOMAS (GK), 23. Adrian LEIJER, 24, Scott GALLOWAY. 25, Jason GERIA
**two to be omitted**
Ins: 6. Leigh BROXHAM, 23. Adrian LEIJER (both returning from suspension)
Outs: Nil
Unavailable: Nil

Newcastle Jets:
1. Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk), 2. Scott NEVILLE, 3. Taylor REGAN, 4. Kew JALIENS, 5. Ben KANTAROVSKI, 7. Andrew HOOLE, 8. Ruben ZADKOVICH (c), 9. Emile HESKEY, 10. Nathan BURNS, 11. Craig GOODWIN, 12. Connor CHAPMAN, 15. Josh BRILLANTE, 16. Jacob PEPPER, 18. James BROWN, 19. Michael BRIDGES, 20. Ben KENNEDY (gk), 21. Sam GALLAWAY, 22. Adam TAGGART (two to be omitted)
Ins: 12. Connor CHAPMAN (returns from injury), 21. Sam GALLAWAY (promoted), 11. Craig GOODWIN (promoted)
Outs: 17. James VIRGILI
Unavailable: Nil

Preview:

Form:
Past five matches:

Victory: DWLLW
Jets: LWWWD

The Game:
Sunday marks the 1,000th game in A-League history. The Melbourne Victory go into the clash on the back of a two-game unbeaten run, while the Newcastle Jets were beaten for the first time in seven last time out. Kevin Muscat’s Victory are aiming for their third clean sheet in a row, which would be the first time they have achieved that feat since February 2011. The Victory have won five of their past six home games against the Jets and go in as favourites. Newcastle will enjoy counter-attacking against a Victory side who will look to keep possession. The Jets have the lowest passing accuracy in the league but are capable of scoring goals through Adam Taggart and Emile Heskey.

The big issue:
Victory – taking their chances. The Victory somehow failed to take three points away from Bluetongue Stadium last time out as they played out a 0-0 draw against the Central Coast Mariners. According to Opta stats, the Victory have taken just 33.3 percent of their ‘big chances’. In comparison, league leaders Brisbane have the best record in the competition with 83.3 percent. Victory need to start taking their opportunities or risk being punished, with their 18 ‘big chances’ created the most in the league.

Jets – making the strike partnership of Taggart and Heskey work. The fit-again Englishman and Taggart failed to fire against the Sky Blues and need time to get their pairing reaching its potential. Taggart believes the two will only get better, but more is needed than what they showed against Sydney. The 20-year-old had starred before Heskey’s return but just which one of them plays top, and who is in behind, remains to be seen as the season progresses.

The game breaker:
James Troisi – the talented attacking midfielder has been at the centre of much of the Victory’s better play this season. With five goals and an assist, Troisi continues to stake his claim for a Socceroos place. His combination with Mitch Nichols shapes as being crucial for Muscat’s team as the campaign goes on. If Troisi and Nichols are allowed to find space in the attacking third, the Jets will find it hard to contain the Victory.

Prediction: Victory 2-0 Jets
The Victory will be eager to get back on the scoresheet after last week’s scoreless draw against the Mariners. They should dominate possession and create enough chances – as they have throughout the season – and at least capitalise on one or two of the opportunities. The Jets can threaten through Taggart on the counter-attack, but Muscat’s side should have too much attacking quality – and a stable enough defence with Nick Ansell or Adrian Leijer partnering Pablo Contreras in the centre of the back four. If Newcastle can score early, they could earn a draw, but the Victory will be expected to win at home.

Source: www.footballaustralia.com.au