Prediction: Basel vs Manchester United

Verdict: Half-Time/Full-Time Manchester City

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: 888sport

Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester United travel to St. Jakob Park on Tuesday night, looking to confirm their Champions League ambitions in a two-leg tie against Swiss giants Basel.

Basel

The Swiss outfit has had its fair share of Champions League duels with English rivals over the past couple of years. Having beaten Chelsea in 2013 and United in 2011, Basel were once again pitted against the Red Devils in this year’s group phase. The Switzerland behemoths maintained their tough nut moniker by beating Manchester United again at St. Jakob Park which is why Pep Guardiola and his Citizens will need to stay alert.

Despite their favourable record against English teams, Basel will have lack of competitive football working against them. The Swiss football entered the winter break in 17 December and Basel have only played two competitive matches since then – compared to City’s 14. The stark contrast in game time could have a huge impact and possibly make a big of a difference on the pitch. Basel returned to action in February – losing to Lugano and winning at Thun this weekend with the team’s in-form striker Dimitri Oberlin – who scored four goals in the Champions League this far – getting on the mark in the league on Saturday.

Team News

Basel will have no injuries to worry about for their forthcoming match against Manchester City.

The 37-year-old goalkeeper Germano Vailati is the only unavailable player, but the experienced shot-stopper has not featured all season long and would not have made it into the squad anyway.

Manchester City

Pep Guardiola’s Citizens travel to Switzerland on the back of a comprehensive 5-1 thumping of Leicester City which allowed Citizens to open up a 14-point lead at the top of Premier League standings. With a more than tangible lead in front of fierce local rivals sitting in second, Manchester City can fully concentrate on an important challenge ahead of them.

Premier League champions-elect won their first five group matches in Europe’s elite competition before losing the dead rubber 2-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of the group stage. Having gone through plenty of problems in the elimination stages over the past couple of years, the Citizens are now fully determined to go the extra mile in this competition and – preferably – head all the way towards winning it. With their domestic title all but wrapped up, Guardiola’s men now eye the quadruple as well, although the Champions League definitely remains the top priority apart from the Premier League. Citizens travel to Switzerland in fine form with Sergio Aguero fired up by his four goals last time out, whereas Kevin De Bruyne also continued his fine run with a hat-trick of assists to move one in front Leo Messi in European terms this season.

Team News

Fabian Delph is unavailable through a knee injury which is the same problem troubling Gabriel Jessus and Benjamin Mendy. German gem Leroy Sane is another name on the long-term absentee list.

Midfield maestro David Silva’s groin issue could keep him on the sidelines although Guardiola remains hopeful the Spaniard will be fit.

Key Factors to Consider

• Basel never made it past this round in CL before
• Man City played 14 games and Basel only 2 since mid-December
• Sergio Aguero bagged 13 goals in last 10 games for Citizens
• Basel and Manhested City meet for the first time ever in UEFA competitions
• City won 16 of 20 away matches in all competitions this season

Conclusion

Basel are a team capable of damaging English sides in the competition, with both Chelsea and Manchester United falling victims at St. Jakob Park before. The lack of competitive form could be too big of a problem for hosts however who are in for a beating, in our opinion.

Verdict: Half-Time/Full-Time Manchester City

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: 888sport