Menu

Bet365 is the best bookmaker to bet on this game!

FC Basel – Manchester United (Champions League)

FC Basel and Manchester United will face each other on Wednesday, at the St. Jakob-Park, in Basel, for the matchday 5 of the Champions League Group A. The Swiss side are second in the group thanks to a superior goal difference, but with CSKA Moscow hosting Benfica in this matchday, the Swiss are forced to win here in order to keep alive their chances of qualifying to the next stage. Manchester United, on their turn, arrive here already qualified, needing only 1 point to ensure the qualification as a group leader.

FC Basel are 2nd placed in the group table with 6 points, result of 2 wins and 2 defeats, with 8 goals scored and 5 goals conceded. The home defeat at the hands of CSKA Moscow has complicated the Swiss side’s life to get the qualification, leaving the team with the same 6 points then the Russians, although with a superior goal difference than them. Basel have had a good moment in the Champions League, but with CSKA Moscow facing bottom side Benfica in the group’s other match, the Swiss are obliged to win against this english side, or they could drop down to third by the end of matchday 5. If they win here against Manchester United, and with CSKA Moscow traveling to Old Trafford in the next round, Basel will be taking a huge step towards qualification .

Basel are showing difficulties in their domestic competitions, having difficulties in defending the title by being in 3rd place in the league table, 7 points behind leader Young Boys. In the Champions League, the Swiss have already played two home games, winning one and losing the other, with 6 goals scored and 2 conceded, while for the domestic league they have already played 8 games at St. Jakob-Park, winning 5 and losing only 1, with a total of 17 goals scored and 9 conceded. With Manchester already qualified and needing only 1 point to qualify as group leader, the Swiss need to take initiative and adopt a more offensive approach.

In their last 5 official matches, FC Basel has a record of 2 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat. This sequence of results started with a 1-2 win against Rapperswil-Jona, for the Swiss Cup. This result was followed by a 0-0 draw against Zurich, a 1-2 defeat against CSKA Moscow, for the Champions League, a 1-1 draw against Young Boys, and in their last match, a 5-1 victory against FC Sion. van Wolfswinkel, injured, and Xhaka, suspended, are out for this tie.

Probable Lineup: Vaclik – Akanji, Suchy and Balanta – Lang, Dié, Duffi and Petretta – Steffen, Ajeti and Oberlin.

champions leagueManchester United, on their turn, are group leaders with 12 points, result of 4 victories, with 10 goals scored and 1 goal conceded. José Mourinho’s men have been carrying out a great campaign throughout Group A, overcoming all the challenges that have been imposed on them so far, and they only need 1 point to secure the qualification as group leaders. The Red Devils returned from the international break in the best way possible, taking an expressive victory against Newcastle, 4-1, a game where the Portuguese coach saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba returning to first-team action, two very influential players in the team.

The Red Devils have been in great form in all competitions, but are failing to keep up with Manchester City rivals in the title race, with Jose Mourinho’s side already eight points behind the Citizens. Away from home, the Red Devils won the only two games played for the Champions League, with 5 goals scored and only 1 conceded, while for the Premier League they won 2 of their 6 trips, losing another 2, with 8 goals scored and 5 conceded. The Red Devils arrive here without pressure, and with the Basel adopting a more offensive approach in order to get the 3 points, this gives the Red Devils the opportunity to do one of the things in which they are excellent, counter-attacks.

In their last 5 official matches, FC Basel has a record of 4 victories and 1 defeat. This sequence of results started with a 0-2 victory against Swansea City, for the EFL Cup. This result was followed by a 1-0 win over Tottenham, a 2-0 win against Benfica, for the Champions League, a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea, and in their last match, a 4-1 win over Newcastle United. Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are both doubts for the away side after missing the 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday through injury, while Marcos Rojo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba all returned to first-team action at the weekend but Jose Mourinho will carefully manage their involvement at the start of this busy period.

Probable Lineup: Gea – Darmian, Lindelof, Smalling and Blind – Herrera, Matic and Fellaini – Lingard, Lukaku and Rashford.

FC Basel have won 1 of their only 5 direct clashes, losing 2 and drawing 2.

Manchester United
3-0
FC Basel
UCL 2017/2018
FC Basel
2-1
Manchester United
UCL 2011/2012
Manchester United
3-3
FC Basel
UCL 2011/2012
Manchester United
1-1
FC Basel
UCL 2002/2003
FC Basel
1-3
Manchester United
UCL 2002/2003

FC Basel are obliged to take initiative and adopt an offensive approach in order to go for the goal. However, such strategy against a team like the Red Devils could easily result in lightening speed counter-attacks. Expect an exciting game, with several scoring chances at both ends of the pitch.

Betting Preview Odd Bookmaker Error
Over 2 Goals 1.60 Bet365
FC Basel
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Stadium:
  • City:
  • Establishment:

View complete profile

Manchester United
  • Country: England
  • Stadium: Old Trafford
  • City: Manchester
  • Establishment: 1878

View complete profile

Fábio Mota
  • Predictions made 174
  • Average Odds used 1.76
  • Predictions right 99
  • Predictions wrong 65
comments powered by Disqus

Last Games

Real money gambling is only allowed to people over 18 years of age. Be responsible and play in moderation. On this site we promote the game as an entertainment activity. It is extremely important that you play responsibly. Learn more at responsible gambling.