Match Preview - FC Basel V Chelsea
Article by Robert WakeCHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP E – MATCHDAY 5
TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2013
Since their shock defeat to the Swiss at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 1, Chelsea has won three games in a row, scoring 10 goals without conceding, and head to Switzerland requiring a point to progress to the last 16. By contrast, Basel has failed to win since that opening day victory, having been somewhat surprisingly held to two draws by Romanian’s Steaua Bucharest. Progress for the Swiss champions now appears unlikely, as after Chelsea, they must visit Gelsenkirchen, and anything less than 2 victories will likely see them eliminated at the group stage.
Basel’s cause has not been helped by an injury to key midfielder Marcelo Diaz who has started all four group games to date. The home side are likely to call on the combative Serey Die to replace the Chilean in midfield.
Basel’s strength lies in counter-attacking football utilising pacy, direct wingers Valentin Stocker and Mohamed Salah on either flank. The conundrum they face for this fixture is that, if they are to go for the win they need, at some stage they may have to take the game to Chelsea, which may in turn leave them vulnerable to a quick break from the visitors. Chelsea are unlikely to over commit, particularly early on, which may lead to a cagey opening in this Group E encounter. With that in mind, I do not foresee many goals in this game, and a low-score draw seems the likeliest outcome.
Prediction – FC Basel 0 – 0 Chelsea
GROUP E STANDINGS
P Pts GD
1. CHELSEA 4 9 +9
2. SCHALKE 4 6 -2
3. FC BASEL 4 5 0
4. STEAUA 4 2 -7
MATCHDAY 5 FIXTURES
FC BASEL V CHELSEA
STEAUA BUCHAREST V SCHALKE 04
MATCHDAY 6 FIXTURES
SCHALKE 04 V FC BASEL
CHELSEA V STEAUA BUCHAREST
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