Prediction: Basel vs Manchester United

6th December 2011

After coming really close to shocking Manchester United at Old Trafford, Basel will have to repeat their heroics and beat the Red Devils if they want to continue their Champions League campaign. United, on the other hand, cannot allow any mistakes and they’ve got to take at least one point from this clash in order to avoid elimination.

The good finish of the last league campaign saw Basel win the Swiss Super League by a single point and it also allowed the team to skip the Champions League qualifying stages and go straight into the group phase. The Swiss giants were handed a tough Champions League group, as they were drawn alongside European giants Manchester United and impressive Benfica side, so nobody really expected Thorsten Fink’s side to mount a serious challenge for a place in the knockout stages, let alone ensure progress from their group. However, Basel did well to win both games against Otelul, while bringing a point each from Old Trafford and La Luz, also the home defeat to Benfica was the low point of their campaign. The Swiss enter this match in great spirits, having won last five games in all competitions, but despite boasting a very talented squad, I don’t think that Basel’s inexperienced team will be able to match one of the best sides in Europe. Kay Voser, Taulant Xhaka and Gilles Yapi Yapo may not be important missings, but Benjamin Huggel’s absence is going to be a problem.

The fact that Manchester United usually ensures the first place in their Champions League group before the final round of games and that they still have to worry about qualification to the next round proves that the Red Devils have make some mistakes this term. After underestimating Basel at Old Trafford, United were lucky to salvage one point thanks to Ashley Young’s late strike, so they are unlikely to make the same mistake once again. The team did suffer a small dip in form of late, but they managed to return to the right track thanks to the hard-fought victory at Villa Park and that win must have served as a big confidence boost. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to field his strongest side at the moment, although he won’t have the courtesy of choosing from a fully fit squad. Nemanja Vidic is available after missing the Benfica tie through suspension, whereas Rio Ferdinand is expected to start as well. Nonetheless, now Michael Carrick is suspended, while Javier Hernandez, Anderson and Tom Cleverley are all unavailable.

Conclusion

Manchester United can go through even with one point from this clash, but Sir Alex Ferguson is aware that playing for a draw can be very risky and he is likely to instruct his side to try and win in Switzerland. Basel may have shown a lot of promise of late, but their inexperience at the highest level could prevent them from recording a positive result in this clash.

Verdict: Away win Manchester United (2)

Best Odds: 8/13

Bookmaker: bet365