City will play in Ballarat for the third time in seven months when it takes on Sydney FC in a National Youth League points game at Morshead Park on Saturday.

This follows on from a practice match with then-National Premier Leagues outfit Ballarat Red Devils last June and an FFA Cup knockout match against Sydney FC in August.

While Palatsides said it was too early to consider Ballarat a home away from home, he said the bond was definitely strengthening between the clubs.

“We’ve only played one official game so far, but there’s clearly some type of relationship being formed,” he said.

“It could well develop to a kind of permanent type of situation. We’ve always reached towards the regional areas and it is something that we’ve been able to do well in Ballarat.”

Like the FFA Cup match, the stakes are big for the A- League club this weekend.

Palatsides says his side could enter the fray a bit rusty after playing just one match over the past five weeks.

The game promises to be a blockbuster, with City commanding second spot on the NYL ladder with seven wins, two draws and three losses from its opening 13 rounds.

Sydney might be languishing in seventh with a 4-3-4 record, but Palatsides says he won’t be underestimating the reigning premier.

“It’s an important match for the youth team; we need to continue our good start to the year,” he said. “They’re the reigning champions and they equalised us in the final seconds of our first match (in round nine).

“This is the best opportunity to play the best games of the season in Ballarat.”

Palatsides said several of his players had already seen time on Morshead Park’s premier grass pitch, with several more returning to Australian soil in peak condition earlier in the week after a 12-day training camp in Abu Dhabi with the senior squad.

The match will get under way at 3pm.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au