MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 07:06:22| >> :120:30839:30839:

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: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
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


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!