MX23RW : Thursday, January 16 12:14:17| >> :120:7813:7813:

Preview: Basel vs. Chelsea

Preview: Basel vs. Chelsea
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the first leg of the Europa League semi-final between Basel and Chelsea.

Chelsea will attempt to secure a first-leg advantage when they travel to Basel in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday.

The Swiss outfit have already overcome English opposition in the competition this season, having eliminated Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round.

Chelsea were defeated in the second leg of their quarter-final tie against Rubin Kazan, but a 3-1 win on their own patch was enough to book their spot in the final four of the competition.

Basel enter the match having won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, but they top their domestic table with 57 points, three clear of nearest challenges Grasshopper.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost two of their last five games in all competitions, but they remain in the hunt for a Champions League position, currently occupying fourth spot in the Premier League table.

The home side have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match, although Philipp Degen is still nursing a muscular injury. Should the defender fail to prove his fitness, Arlind Ajeti could come into the side. Meanwhile, Marco Streller is expected to lead the line alongside Raul Bobadilla.

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez could recall John Terry and Frank Lampard to his starting side, but Ashley Cole has been ruled out. Ramires could also start in place of Oscar, while Fernando Torres is expected to be named as the lone striker once more.

Recent form

Basel: DDDWD

Chelsea: WLLWD

Possible lineups

Basel: Sommer; Park, Schar, Sauro, Steinhofer; Stocker, Frei, Diaz, Degen; Streller, Bobadilla

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand; Mikel, Lampard; Ramires, Hazard, Mata; Torres

Sports Mole says: 2-2


ID:81057: cacheID:81057:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4542:
Written by
Matt Law
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas prior to kick-off against Arsenal on March 3, 2013
Read Next:
Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Basel
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle21115537221538
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Aston Villa2110563132-135
8Bournemouth219753225734
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
14Crystal Palace215972328-524
15Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
16Everton203891526-1117
17Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!