Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Switzerland as Basel welcome Manchester City for the first leg of their last-16 tie. Man City will be looking to secure a first-leg advantage tonight, but Basel have already beaten Manchester United in this season's Champions League. Stay tuned for what should be a very interesting game of football!

Tonight will bring the first ever meeting between these two teams in European competition. Basel, however, have taken on Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in recent seasons. The Swiss giants have actually played against English opposition on 28 occasions – winning seven, drawing eight and losing 13 of those particular fixtures. The atmosphere is already building here!

It will be the first time that Man City have taken on Swiss opposition in the Champions League, and the Citizens are fancied to advance deep into this season's competition. Indeed, some bookmakers have placed Pep Guardiola's side as the favourites to land the European Cup come the end of May.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Switzerland. Both sides were in league action at the weekend – Basel winning 2-0 at Thun while Man City thumped Leicester City 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium. Let's have a look at the two XIs for this one...

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TEAMS!

BASEL: Vaclik; Lang, Xhaka, Lacroix, Suchy, Riveros; Stocker, Die, Frei, Elyounoussi; Oberlin

MAN CITY: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Otamendi, Delph; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Gundogan; B.Silva, Aguero, Sterling

Basel boss Raphael Wicky has set up in a defensive 5-4-1 formation tonight, with 20-year-old Dimitri Oberlin, who scored four times in six group-stage matches, tasked with leading the line. Taulant Xhaka - brother of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka - will seemingly start as one of the three centre-backs, while there are also spots in the team for Bias Riveros and Geoffrey Serey Die.

As for City, Fabian Delph returns from injury to start, while Vincent Kompany captains the visitors on what is his first Champions League appearance for almost two years. Bernardo Silva keeps his spot alongside Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero in the final third of the field, but David Silva is deemed fit enough for the bench following his recent injury problems. Leroy Sane also makes the bench.

13 - Sergio Agüero has scored 13 goals in 10 competitive club appearances in 2018 so far; three more goals than any other player in the big 5 European leagues. Star. pic.twitter.com/KkRtMEuWRh — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2018

So there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Switzerland. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with the visitors Man City. Guardiola's side lost to AS Monaco at this stage of last season's competition, but it would be a major shock if the Premier League leaders did not find a route through to the quarter-finals this season.

Man City have actually only won one of their four last-16 ties in this competition. Indeed, they have lost to Monaco and Barcelona (twice), with their last success coming against Dynamo Kiev during the 2015-16 season. In truth, City could have drawn a real powerhouse at this stage, and with respect to Basel, there is no question that Guardiola would have been pleased with the draw.

Man City booked their spot in the last-16 by topping Group F ahead of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk. The Citizens won five of their six group matches – collecting 15 points. They were extremely impressive in a section that also included Napoli and Feyenoord, but the Premier League side did lose 2-1 at Shakhtar in their final match of the group stage. Can Basel shock them tonight?

Making an entrance at St. Jakob Park 😎 #fcbvcity pic.twitter.com/llJX3oaAi5 — Manchester City (@ManCity) February 13, 2018

The Citizens will enter this match off the back of a 5-1 win over Leicester in the Premier League at the weekend. They have a 16-point advantage over second-placed Man United in the table, and will win the title this season. It remains to be seen, however, whether Guardiola's side are ready to challenge the likes of PSG, Barcelona, Bayern and Real Madrid for the European crown this term.

As for Basel, the Swiss outfit recorded a 2-0 win at Thun on Saturday afternoon. They are second in their domestic table behind Young Boys, and are present in the last-16 stage of the Champions League for a third time. In the 2011-12 campaign they actually beat Bayern 1-0 in the first leg at home before suffering a huge 7-0 defeat in the second leg at the Allianz Arena.

Basel did beat Man United 1-0 in Switzerland on matchday five, however, which allowed them to end Group A in second position. A total of 12 group points proved their highest total in a Champions League group stage, and their supporters will be eyeing another scalp in tonight's match.

St. Jakob-Park 😍😍😍#UCL pic.twitter.com/ipaQ6UD4lL — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 13, 2018

Wicky's side have lost three of their last four European fixtures at St. Jakob-Park, however, and were eliminated from Europe last term following a 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on December 6. Basel have also only won one of their five two-legged knockout ties with English opposition, with their sole success coming against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012-13 Europa League quarter-finals.

Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in Switzerland. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. Will Man City secure a first-leg advantage, or can Basel shock Guardiola's side tonight? Stay tuned for the action!

KICKOFF! Basel kick things off here...

... you do get the feeling that Basel need to win tonight if they are to stand any chance of progressing into the quarter-finals. A win and a clean sheet would be a very good result for the hosts, but Man City will have other ideas. The noise inside the stadium is absolutely brilliant here.

SAVE! Vaclik makes a terrific save to keep out a header from Gundogan!

It has been a bright start from the visitors, who came close through that header from Gundogan following two corners in quick succession. Basel are yet to settle in possession here.

CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Oberlin beats the offside trap before advancing into the City half, but the striker gets his effort horribly wrong with Ederson charging out!

Both teams have had half-chances in the opening eight minutes of this match, and it has been an open and entertaining game of football. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come here!

Oh dear me. Tottenham Hotspur are already 2-0 behind to Juventus in Turin! Tough task for the Premier League club now. Back in Switzerland, we are still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock. City are having a lot of the ball, but Basel are threatening on the counter-attack here.

Bernardo Silva delivers a dangerous cross into the Basel box, but Xhaka is on hand to make the clearance. The home side look to break, but the ball will come straight back into the Basel box.

PENALTY SHOUT! Oberlin goes down inside the City box under pressure from Otamendi, but the referee is not interested. Oh I have certainly seen those given!

City take the lead in the 14th minute of this last-16 first leg as Gundogan heads a De Bruyne corner into the back of the net. Big moment in this tie as the visitors make the breakthrough.

Half-chance for the home side as Stocker meets a long ball, but Ederson comes out to clear. Basel are having joy when they manage to bypass the away side's midfield here.

City double their lead with 18 minutes on the clock as Bernardo Silva finds the back of the net with a clever finish after a Sterling cross had been half-cleared to the Portuguese. Not too sure what the home side's goalkeeper was doing, but the ball found a route into the top corner!

Basel cannot get out of their own half at the moment as City pass and probe here.

City make it 3-0 in the 23rd minute of this match as Aguero finds the bottom corner with a brilliant effort from outside the Basel box. Again, I am not too sure what the goalkeeper was doing! Didn't move!

Stocker delivers a dangerous cross into the City box, but Elyounoussi gets it all wrong! The number 24's header actually went high into the air, and the away side were able to clear their lines.

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and Basel just cannot get the ball. City have been excellent, but the home side have been very poor in terms of shape and quality here.

Possession football for City in the last few minutes as they continue to pass and probe in the final third of the field. Basel need to find a way to stop the flow of traffic in this match.

Bernardo Silva darts into the Basel box following smart work from De Bruyne once again, but Vaclik is out to make the clearance. About the best thing that Vaclik has done in this match!

Vaclik does well again as the Basel goalkeeper manages to push the ball away from Sterling after the City attacker had broken into the box. The resulting corner is then headed clear by Xhaka.

The Basel supporters are still creating a wonderful noise inside the stadium, which is brilliant to hear. Over in Turin, Tottenham have one back against Juventus courtesy of a strike from none other than Harry Kane. Basel could do with Kane's finishing abilities in this match, that is for sure.

CLOSE! De Bruyne just misses the crossbar with a super effort following another excellent move from the away side. Basel could have conceded four or five in this first period.

Basel are scared to commit too many players forward at the moment as they pump the ball downfield before settling back into a shape. City are absolutely in their element in this match.

Oberlin has been bright for Basel in the final third, but the 20-year-old has lacked support. There has not actually been a single yellow card in this match thus far, despite the fact there have been some alterations challenges. Die just dived into the feet of De Bruyne, but escaped a booking.

I should not think that there will be too much added time at the end of the first period.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with City leading Basel 3-0 at the interval of the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League. Gundogan opened the scoring in the 14th minute, before Bernardo Silva and netted shortly after to leave the visitors in a commanding position. To be honest, Basel have been a few levels below their opponents tonight.

STATISTICS! City had 73% of the ball in the first period, while they hit the target with four of their five attempts - scoring three times in the process. Basel had four attempts in the first period, but failed to test Ederson. The home side have also committed six goals to City's one here.

BENCH WATCH! Former Norwich forward Van Wolfswinkel is on the Basel bench tonight, in addition to the likes of Ajeti and Bua. One thing is for sure, something needs to change in the second 45 minutes. City boss Guardiola, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Foden, Sane and David Silva.

RESTART! City resume the action in Switzerland...

... no changes from either side at the interval. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in Switzerland. Basel must answer back here.

Possession football from City in the early stages of the second period. It is going to be a long half for Basel as they attempt to avoid a hammering. In truth, the tie is probably already over.

There is no question that Oberlin has the pace to trouble City, but the number 19 has not had the support of his teammates. Basel are very defensive, but City seem to be finding so much space.

SAVE! Ederson has to push away a long-range strike from Elyounoussi.

Half-chance for the away side as Sterling breaks into the Basel box before looking for support, but Basel have enough bodies back to make the clearance. Sterling will be keen to join Bernardo Silva and Aguero on the scoresheet tonight, especially with David Silva and Sane on the bench.

And there is the fourth goal. City take an incredible 4-0 lead in Switzerland as Gundogan settles outside the Basel box before finding the back of the net with a smart finish!

Basel could end up conceding six or seven tonight if they are not careful. There has been such a big gulf in class between these two teams. They are not playing the same sport tonight.

CLOSE! Oberlin breaks into the Basel box, and the 20-year-old's effort is just wide of the far post. Oberlin has been the one Basel player that has threatened tonight.

MAN CITY SUB! Sane replaces Sterling for the away side.

BOOKING! Fernandinho (Man City) is booked for a foul on Stocker.

Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in Switzerland, and City lead Basel 4-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League. The tie is over, which is a shame for the neutral.

Fernandinho misses the Basel goal with a strike from outside the box.

MAN CITY SUB! David Silva replaces De Bruyne for the away side.

Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the tempo of the match slowing down. City are playing within themselves at the moment; they are so comfortable.

Half-chance for the away side as Walker races down the right before delivering a low cross into Aguero, who finds David Silva, but the Spaniard misses the crossbar with his effort.

SAVE! Decent save from Ederson to keep out Elyounoussi as Basel look to give their supporters something to celebrate here. The home side have had their moments in the second period.

Ederson keeps out a long-range Oberlin free kick during a busy period for the City goalkeeper. Basel have been much better in the second period, but it is far too little far too late here.

BASEL SUB! Ajeti replaces Stocker for the home side.

Tottenham have come from 2-0 behind in Turin to draw level with Juventus entering the latter stages of that match; what a comeback from the Premier League club. Back in Switzerland, City continue to enjoy a lot of the ball as they pass and probe in the final third of the field.

SAVE! Gundogan has a super chance to complete his hat-trick, but the German international is denied by a brilliant save from Vaclik! Aguero provided the cross from the left.

Still 4-0 to the visitors as we head for the final 10 minutes of this last-16 first leg.

Sane looks to beat the offside trap before breaking into the Basel box, but the flag goes up at the final moment. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match.

Basel are still committing plenty of players in the final third of the field, but another attack breaks down when Oberlin cannot escape the attentions of Delph. City then break down the other end with Sane, but Xhaka is across to make a good challenge. End-to-end football in the last few minutes.

Sane has an effort blocked after dancing into the Basel penalty box.

Walker delivers a dangerous cross into the Basel penalty box, but Vaclik does well to make the clearance under pressure from Aguero. Still 4-0 with 85 minutes on the clock in Switzerland.

BASEL SUB! Bua replaces Elyounoussi for the home side.

MAN CITY SUB! Danilo replaces Aguero for the away side.

Not too much to report in the last few moments as we approach the final stages of this match. Basel have been better in the second period, but City have been very, very comfortable.

BOOKING! Die (Basel) is booked for a late challenge on Gundogan.

Handbags here as Gundogan is unhappy with that late challenge from Die!

BOOKING! Gundogan (Man City) is also booked for his reaction.

We are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the 90 minutes here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with City running out 4-0 winners in Basel. The Premier League leaders have placed one foot in the quarter-finals of the competition. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!