Manchester City will try their best to recover for their defeat in the last Europa League fixture as they host Red Bull Salzburg tonight.
City lost 3-1 to Polish champions Lech Poznan on match day four, which was Roberto Mancini’s side’s worst defeat in a UEFA club competition.
The loss left Manchester City in second place in group A of the Europa League after only four matches. However, the Premier League side can guarantee a place in the knockout stages if they secure a win over Salzburg and if Juventus lose to Poznan.
However, anything less than a win for Salzburg will see the side eliminated from the competition. Huub Stevens’ side sits at the bottom of Group A, without a single win in about six European matches. For them a win at Eastlands tonight is essential to extend
their stay in the competition.
In their previous fixture, on match day one, City emerged as winners. David Silva and Jo scored a goal each to give their side a win over the Austrian opponents. However, it must be noted the win wasn’t as comfortable as Mancini had expected or hoped.
In their last five fixtures in the Premier League, Manchester City have been in poor form. Roberto Mancini drew three out of five matches, the latest one a 1-1 draw with Stoke City. They won the remaining two, but it has failed to keep them in the title
race.
Comparatively, Red Bull Salzburg have somewhat similar recent record in the Austrian Bundesliga. The Austrian side have won three matches, drawn one and lost one. Their 1-0 loss comes against SC Wiener Neustadt, which leaves both the sides with almost the
same number of points.
Yaya Toure returns for Manchester City after missing the Premier League clash against Stoke City, which ended in a draw. Emmanuel Adebayor is also expected to start today, with the striker making it clear that he wishes to leave in the upcoming January transfer
window.
Christian Schwegler, the Salzburg right back, has been ruled out of action until next year after suffering from a thigh injury during training. The side has been struggling because of lack of goals, with Dusav Svento scoring their only goal in the European
competition.
Possible Starting Line Up:
Manchester City:
Joe Hart; Kolarov, Kompany, Toure, Zabaleta; Silva, de Jong, Barry, Milner; Adebayor, Balottelli.
Red Bull Salzburg: Tremmel; Schiemer, Sekagya, Afolabi, Hinteregger; Augustinusse, Mendes; Zarate, Cziommer, Svento; Wallner.
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