Manchester City will welcome the distraction of a move away from domestic action as the Europa League rolls back into town.
The blue half of Manchester will be wanting their side get back to winning ways after Saturday's disappointing 1-1 draw with Stoke in the Premier League and move a step closer to progressing in the competition.
But it does depend on which Manchester City turn up.
In the past month we have seen the Blues destroy Fulham and West Brom with some sublime attacking football but we have witnessed some overly defensive tactics in the draws with Manchester United, Birmingham and Stoke.
But as we reach the business end of the group stage in the Europa League, City find themselves in a good position to qualify from Group A and reach the knockout stages and a win against Salzburg will see them have one foot in next round.
The Premier League millionaires could even qualify for the last 32 if they beat Salzburg at Eastlands and Juventus fail to win against Lech Poznan.
City currently sit second in the group on seven points behind Lech Poznan, also on seven points, whereas their opponents prop up the group with two points.
Qualification A Must
While Salzburg have nothing to really to play for in this season's competition, City will find them no pushovers, despite a 2-0 victory in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season.
The Austrian champions won all six of their group games in last season's competition, doing the double over Lazio and Villarreal in the process.
They have also held Italian giants Juventus to 1-1 and 0-0 draws in this season's competition and are back to winning ways in the Austrian League with a 2-1 triumph at LASK Linz, so they shouldn't be taken lightly despite their poor position in the group.
But Roberto Mancini's side, containing the likes of Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Mario Balotelli, should have more than enough fire power to see off Salzburg and move a step closer to their first trophy in 25 years.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini has plenty of option available to him, so may opt to began with David Silva, Mario Balotelli and James Milner in attack, meaning Carlos Tevez may be rested.
Possible starting XI: Hart; Richards, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov; De Jong, Vieira, Barry; Silva, Balotelli, Milner.
Salzburg
The Austrian side have a strong side available to them, and are likely to start with Zarate as the lone striker.
Possible starting XI: Tremmel; Afolabi, Schiemer, Sekagya, Hinteregger; David Mendes, Wallner, Svento, Cziommer, Leitgeb; Zarate.
Prediction
Man City 3-1 Red Bull Salzburg 
