UEFA Champions League: Chelsea vs Basel - Predicted line-ups and stats preview

26/11/13

KO: 19.45

St. Jakob-Park

Chelsea head into their penultimate Champions League group stage match in Switzerland knowing a win will guarantee top spot in Group E. Basel stunned the Blues in the opening game of the group after a smash-and-grab win at Stamford Bridge. But Jose Mourinho has turned things around to guide Chelsea within touching distance of the knockout rounds meaning just a draw will be enough to guarantee qualification.

Basel need a win to keep in touch with Schalke in second place so can’t afford to lose. Should they lose, they will face elimination from the group stages with a game remaining.

Team News

Chelsea

Mourinho is likely to keep much of the same side he played at Upton Park on Saturday when Chelsea steamrolled West Ham to win 3-0. The Portuguese coach could bring Juan Mata back into the side but it is thought Samuel Eto’o will remain in the starting line-up due to Fernando Torres’ injury.

Predicted line-up (4-3-2-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Lampard, Ramires; Oscar, Hazard; Eto’o

Basel

Basel are expected to put out their strongest possible side to avoid defeat and elimination from the tournament with a game remaining. They have won their last two games so come into the game in decent form so the line-up is unlikely to be changed by manager Murat Yakin.

Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Vailati; Voser, Schar, Xhaka, Ajeti; Stocker, Die, Frei, El Nenny; Streller, Sio

Recent Form

Chelsea

The Blues have been slightly hit and miss in the Premier League this season but head to Switzerland on the back of a comfortable 3-0 victory against West Ham. Frank Lampard scored twice to signal a change in fortunes for the 35-year-old and he could use that performance to his advantage against Basel.

Chelsea have won all three Champions League games since their opening night defeat at Stamford Bridge to their Swiss opponents and have looked comfortable during all three victories.

Basel

The Swiss side have struggled in Europe this season and now face elimination from the tournament. They’ve been extremely average with one win, two draws and a defeat in their first four matches in Group E. That solitary win was against Chelsea on matchday one so they’ll be hoping for another shock victory over the Blues on Tuesday night.

Despite their poor European form, Basel are comfortably top of the Swiss Premier League with 30 points from 15 matches, two points ahead of Grasshoppers.

Players to Watch

Chelsea – Oscar

The Brazilian has been fantastic this season and is Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League with five goals. He has pushed two-time Chelsea Player of the Year winner Juan Mata out of the side with his superb performances and is now one of the first names on Mourinho’s team sheet.

His only goal in Europe this season came against Basel in their defeat to the Swiss side but he has created five chances – only Juan Mata and Samuel Eto’o have created more in the Champions League for Chelsea.

Chelsea Top Chance Creators In CL This Season

Basel – Valentin Stocker

No one has really stood out for Basel in Europe this season but Stocker has played well. Despite him not scoring from either of his two shots, Stocker has created six chances, including two assists, more than any other Basel player.

If anyone is to open up the Chelsea defence and provide Basel’s forwards with chances it’s Stocker. Chelsea must be wary of his dangerous threat in the final third.

Prediction

I think Chelsea will continue their good run in Europe and beat the Swiss side quite easily. Mourinho seems to have found a comfortable system for his players during the 3-0 win at the weekend. Lampard’s confidence will be up and I fully expect him to drive the Blues forward with vivour.

Basel 0-2 Chelsea; Oscar & Lampard.