Preview: Basel vs. Porto

Basel and Porto return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they meet in Switzerland for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Basel booked their place in the knockout stage by finishing behind Real Madrid in Group B, while Porto claimed top spot in Group H with an unbeaten record of four wins and two draws.

Alongside Real Madrid and Chelsea, the Portuguese giants were one of only three teams who failed to taste defeat during the group stage.

The hosts, who are managed by former Benfica and Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Sousa, have never made it through to the last eight of the competition. Their previous experience in the last 16 saw them thrashed 7-1 on aggregate by Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, two-time champions Porto are looking to secure a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009. The Portuguese outfit last won the competition under Jose Mourinho in 2004.

Both teams will be full of confidence heading into the game thanks to rich veins of form. Basel are unbeaten in the last nine matches in all competitions, while Porto have won 10 of their previous 10 outings.

Jackson Martinez is likely to keep the Basel defence busy thanks to a return of 21 goals in 26 games so far this season. Shkelzen Gashi tops the goalscoring charts for the Swiss outfit with 13 strikes to his name.

Experienced defender Fabian Schar is suspended for Basel, who are also expected to be without Ivan Ivanov and Adama Traore through injury. Porto's only injury problem is Adrian Lopez, who is sidelined with a leg problem.

Basel:

Form in Champions League: LWLWLD Form in all competitions: DWWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Vaclik; Safari, Suchy, Degen, Xhaka; Delgado, Calla, Gashi, Zuffi; El Nenny, Streller

Porto:

Form in Champions League: WDWWWD Form in all competitions: DLWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Fabiano; Marcano, Danilo, Alex Sandro, Maicon; Quaresma, Brahimi, Herrera, Casemiro; Torres, Martinez

Sports Mole says: 1-2