Red Bulls hunt points in Vienna as Bundesliga countdown strikes ten.

The Austrian championship is to enter its concluding phase with just ten matches remaining.

Even though Red Bull Salzburg were able to pull away from their title rivals in the third quarter of the season (rounds 19 to 26), the forthcoming back-to-back encounter with Austria Vienna is certain to add another twist to the championship race.

This Sunday the Red Bulls will be looking to follow on from where they left off at the Franz Horr stadium. At least in replicating Salzburg’s brilliant performance during the first 60 minutes of their last visit to Austria Vienna in August.

They will be looking to avoid the self-destruction which then ensued in the closing 30 minutes that saw them beaten 3-2 with a last-minute goal.

Red Bull Salzburg will be confident that their nine point lead over Austria Vienna and markedly better goal difference can help them get a better result this time. The Violets will have to go on the attack in both of the upcoming games if they are to keep their title hopes alive.

Set pieces.

Austria Vienna have continued to exploit their attacking strength from set pieces throughout the season.

The Violets have a pair of dangerous free kick takers in Acimovic and Bazina. Their 19 goals from set pieces this season is the league’s best figure, as is the nine goals that they have netted via free kicks.

Their Chinese starlet Sun also packs a punch from a direct free kick and has scored recently in this way.

The Vienna side are more threatening down the flanks when it comes to open play.

Young Rubin Okotie has troubled defences across Austria with his speedy wide play.

The Red Bulls are however equally competent operating from the touchlines with twenty goals this season from crosses – more than any other Bundesliga side. Salzburg would be well-advised to focus on this strength on Sunday as the Viennese club have proven vulnerable to skillful wide play.

The Bulls have been outperformed overall in the teams’ past six encounters – three defeats, two wins and one draw.

And Austria Vienna have lost just one of their past 14 home matches against Salzburg.

20/04/08 - Red Bull Salzburg 5-1 FK Austria Magna
10/08/08 - FK Austria Vienna 3-2 Red Bull Salzburg
20/04/08 - Red Bull Salzburg 2-0 FK Austria Magna
23/02/08 - FK Austria Magna 3-1 Red Bull Salzburg
30/09/07 - Red Bull Salzburg 0-1 FK Austria Magna
22/07/07 - FK Austria Magna 2-2 Red Bull Salzburg

Injury news – missing on Sunday will be:

• Patrik Jezek , Niko Kovac, Remo Meyer and Timo Ochs.

Pitak is to return from suspension while club captain Alex Zickler this week returned to training.