Europa League
2013-04-25 - Basel vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 25 April 2013 - Kick Off 8:05pm
This game is live on TV
Basel
For some teams in the smaller European leagues, facing sides from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga or Serie A can be a daunting task. However, Basel may just feel slightly confident that they can put pay to another English club and reach the Europa League Final next month. Over the last 18 months, Basel have knocked out Manchester United from the Champions League and they have beaten Tottenham Hotspur in the Quarter Final this season and now get set to host Chelsea.
The Europa League is not the only competition that Basel are focused on this season as they lead their domestic League by 3 points and are in a good position to get back into the Champions League next season. Basel have enjoyed success in Europe this season following their appearance in the Second Round of the Champions League last season and beating Spurs, Zenit St Petersburg and Dnipro in the knockout stage of the Europa League is an impressive set of scalps.
Basel are unbeaten in their last 6 home games in Europe since being beaten by Cluj in the qualifying round of the Champions League back in August. They have won 4 of those 6 games and have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of those games. Basel are unbeaten in their last 17 home games in all competitions and they have won 4 of their last 5 here.
Chelsea
A season after winning the Champions League, it was a real shock to the system for Chelsea fans when the team were knocked out of that competition in the Group Stage in December. However, they have taken advantage of being demoted to the Europa League and have to be considered the favourites to win their second European trophy in two seasons.
Some people may not be happy that eight Champions League teams are allowed to enter the Europa League in the knockout stage, but Chelsea have taken full advantage of that fate. It is also telling that all 4 Semi Finalists began life in the Champions League this season, so Chelsea fans won't be unhappy with the chance to add some silverware to their trophy cabinet.
The main concern may be finishing in the top four in the Premier League, but the side are on course to do just that and so they can give their all to win the Europa League. Chelsea have seen off Sparta Prague, Steaua Bucharest and Rubin Kazan to reach the Semi Final, although they have only won 1 of their 3 away games and they have lost the other 2 away trips.
Chelsea have only won 1 of their last 4 games in all competitions, although they will feel they deserved more from their trip to Liverpool last weekend when conceding with the last kick of the game to draw 2-2. They have only won 1 of their last 6 away games in all competitions and Chelsea have actually lost half of those games.
Head to Head
This is the first time these teams will meet in a competitive game.
Prediction
Both the Champions League Semi Finals were very high scoring affairs and I do think the Basel-Chelsea game may follow that trend and there will be at least 3 goals in this game.
Basel have proved they can score goals at home and Chelsea have looked vulnerable away from home so I would be surprised if the home team fails to score. However, Tottenham Hotspur showed Chelsea that it is possible to score goals here and so the over 2.5 goals looks the call.
The Pick :
Basel 2-1 Chelsea
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.95
