A-League: Melbourne City facing tough away test against Perth Glory

PERTH is a place where good form goes to die for Melbourne’s A-League clubs, but Melbourne City will be aiming to buck the trend on Saturday night.

Bruno Fornaroli of Melbourne City celebrates scoring their second goal during the round 14 A League match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne City at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

PERTH is a place where good form goes to die for Melbourne’s A-League clubs.

In 26 trips west to face the Glory — including in the FFA Cup — Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City have combined for 16 losses and five draws, coming away with only five wins.

But on Saturday night a City side that is running hot could be the one to start turning the tide, especially given its away woes appear to be a thing of the past.

There was a time, in the Melbourne Heart days, when the club went 22 games without winning on the road, a streak that stretched from October 2012 to January 2014.

But this season John van’t Schip’s men have become road warriors, compiling the A-League’s best away record, with three wins and two draws from seven games.

City has suffered some notable losses at nib Stadium, a ground at which it has won only once, way back in December 2011.

There was the elimination final it lost 3-0 in 2012.

Then in October there was the FFA Cup semi-final — a game City was expected to win and one that would have set up a Melbourne derby against Victory in the final — but lost 3-1.

Saturday night’s game is yet another opportunity for City to show the progress it has made by just getting the job done on what is typically a difficult road trip.

Originally published as A-League: Melbourne City facing tough away test against Perth Glory