The quest to become the second club in A-League history to become back-to-back champions goes through Ballarat for Sydney FC.
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The club will take on Western United in its second-last pre-season hit-out before the start of the 2019-20 season.
It will be the first ever clash between the two clubs which will take place at Morshead Park at 3pm on Friday.
Sydney FC head coach Steve Corica said he was excited to mark the historic encounter in Ballarat.
"It's great, any new team gives opportunities for younger players and a new set of supporters," he said.
"Ballarat is a great place to have this game, it gets the game out into the public and games here will be good for the city and supporters in this area."
Sydney FC lifted its fourth A-League trophy earlier this year after defeating league premiers Perth Glory.
WATCH: SYDNEY FC DEFEATS PERTH GLORY IN A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL
Corica said the game was crucial for the team's preparation.
"We are well aware of how difficult going back-to-back will be, but that is the focus here at the club," he said.
"We're still trying to find the starting team and figure out who is going to play in that first game.
"It's vital we have a good hit-out and get another 90 minutes into the legs of the starting boys."
Western United made headlines this week with news the club is favorite to land all-time A-League goal-scorer Besart Berisha.
The defending champions added a number of players of their own this off-season such as Kosta Barbarouses, Ryan McGowan and German import Alexander Baumjohann.
Corica said Australian national player Brandon O'Neill would also be an exciting player for locals to watch out for.
"We're a very exciting team, I'm happy with the squad we have, and the depth we have and they'll all be looking forward to the game."
The match is the second of two professional matches played in Ballarat as part of the city's Festival of Football.
Western United will also play four games for points in the 2019-20 season at Ballarat's Mars Stadium.
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