One of the basic principles of competitive football, and the game in general, is that matches will be played with intelligent faith, and either group will do their best to win.
Interestingly, there have been whispers of fear from cynical Celtic enthusiasts that this may not necessarily be the case when Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig meet in the Europa League.
After 4 games in Group B, Salzburg and Leipzig are the most sensible and better placed to qualify, but they still want to get the right effects to get there.
Celtic, who beat Leipzig 2-1 in their last Europa League outing, are tied in trouble with the German side but they themselves are in third place.
The Glasgow side will face Rosenborg and Salzburg in their remaining matches, but their fate could potentially be through the final results of the match between Salzburg and Leipzig.
The suggestion that the groups can simply conspire to achieve a favourable outcome for either side was naturally categorically rejected by the personalities of both clubs.
Of course, a denial will never be enough to convince some of the most skeptical conspiracy theorists.
Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League action, Goal takes a look at why the considerations have arisen, such as a look at the permutations for the team.
While Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig are other clubs, they are connected because they are funded through Austrian company Red Bull.
RB Leipzig is known as Rasenballsport Leipzig, however, they play at the Red Bull Arena and the corporate symbols on their jersey.
There were fears that Red Bull’s influence would cause clubs to breach UEFA rules, which allow groups that have a common owner to compete in the same competition.
However, the governing framework ruled in 2017 that this is not strictly so and granted both clubs admission to the Champions League. This resolution can be read in full here.
The idea that teams can work together to achieve a desirable end result for anyone feeds off this apparent bond they have with Red Bull.
However, RB Leipzig president Oliver Mintzlaff strongly denied that this was his team’s adjustment against Salzburg, pointing to the September adjustment between the teams, which Salzburg won 3-2.
“It is foolish to even recommend that the final results of this adjustment decide,” Mintzlaff told Bild. “Leipzig and Salzburg have been independent clubs for a few years.
“In the first leg, it was evident that either team was looking to win. This will also be the case in today’s match. “
Salzburg striker Munas Dabbur dismissed the concept as “crazy”.
“To think that we can just organize the final results is total madness. We wouldn’t do anything like that,” Dabbur said.
“Of course, any of the clubs have a relationship, but nothing like that. Both clubs will be looking to win the match. The link with Leipzig is special for the clubs. Sometimes we make a little joke about it. “
On matchday five of Europa League Group B, Salzburg will face Leipzig, while Celtic will face Rosenborg in the other match and, depending on the results, it is possible that some of the qualifying places are guaranteed.
Salzburg are clear on six points at the top of the table with two games to play and are on course to qualify, needing just a draw against Leipzig to qualify.
That Celtic is well fought with Leipzig for the position at the moment in the standings.
As well as winning their own remaining games against Rosenborg and Salzburg, Celtic will pray for Salzburg to beat Leipzig on Thursday.