The Match Chelsea host FC Basel at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 18th September in their opening game of the 2013/14 Champions League season with the game kicking off at 7.45pm BST. Having been pitted against Basel, Schalke and Steaua Bucharest in the same group, the former European Champion will look to take advantage of the kind draw and right the wrongs of last season - after crashing out of the competition in the group stage, finishing third behind Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk - in their quest for another Champions League triumph in Lisbon next May. Backed at 9/1 by SkyBet to win the competition this time around – fourth favourite after Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid - Jose Mourinho’s men head into the game as favourites and will look to get back to winning ways after recent disappointing results. The Blues started the season well winning both of their opening Premier League matches – against Hull City and Aston Villa – but have since drawn with Manchester United, Bayern Munich – in the UEFA Super Cup – before losing to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday. The Swiss champions, on the other hand, are in better form in comparison to their Wednesday’s opponents. Murat Yakin’s side have won 8 of their 13 matches in all competitions, losing only once since starting their season in mid-July and are unbeaten in their last 6 matches – W5 D1. However, Basel have been inconsistent in the Swiss Super League this season after winning only 3 of their first 7 matches – D3 L1 – with two of those victories coming in July and have failed to win consecutive games so far resulting in them currently sitting in 3rd, trailing three points behind league leaders BSC Young Boys. Despite the unconvincing form of both teams, neither will be unfamiliar with one another having just played against one another four months ago in the Europa League semi final. Chelsea – under interim manager Rafa Benitez – back then secured a last gasp 2-1 win at St. Jakob’s Park in the first leg before dispatching their Swiss counterparts 3-1 in the return leg at Stamford Bridge to complete a 5-3 aggregate victory. The Blues, however, will do well not to underestimate their opponents despite coming out on top in the two recent encounters. Basel effectively eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League group stage two seasons ago and picked up 4 points from the two matches. The side from Switzerland turned a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead at Old Trafford before conceding a late equalizer to draw 3-3 and then beating the same side 2-1 in December 2011. Another English side also suffered an identical fate in Tottenham as Basel also knocked them out in the quarter finals of the Europa League last season. They went 2-0 up at White Hart Lane in the first leg before being pegged back to a 2-2 draw before both sides played out another 2-2 draw in the return leg which then saw the Swiss team won 4-1 in a penalty shootout. Both sides will definitely be eyeing for a perfect start to their European campaign with a win on Wednesday and for Jose Mourinho, he will no doubt be looking for a response from his players to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointment and get the three points in order to secure qualification for the knock out stage as early as possible. About the Teams Chelsea Chelsea have settled in to Jose Mourinho’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation but it is still relatively unclear what their best starting XI and approach as a team is. Perhaps influenced by the nature and style of play of their opponents, the Portuguese manager has deployed various approaches to the matches this season - from battering the opposition, to taking a more conservative and controlled approach to adopting the counter attacking style – resulting in his side yet to have recognized style of play. On top of that, there is also still a question mark on Mourinho’s preferred starting line-up. Even though there have not been many apparent changes to the line-up from game-to-game, at least four different combination of the attacking midfielders and striker have been used with each selection possibly made to counter act his side’s opponents. Having the ability to be flexible and adaptable is no doubt a positive aspect for a team but the constant changes have seen Chelsea produced some mixed performances and results. It is vital for the renowned ‘Special One’ to settle down on a team approach and style of play as quickly as possible if they are to successfully achieve their objectives this season with games coming thick and fast in the upcoming months. Basel In contrast, Basel have no such problems like their English opponent as they have blended in well to the style of play Murat Yakin wants them to have – attacking football with pace, quick passing and movement. Valentin Stocker, Mohamed Salah and Marco Streller - as identified by Basel’s Chris Wachtler - are the key figures to this positive approach. Stocker and Salah – pacey, mobile and agile players - operates on the left and right respectively who are both essential in creating chances for their team and the former setup the latter to score Basel’s goal at Stamford Bridge last season. The main responsibility to convert those chances lies on the shoulder of 32 year old captain and striker Marco Streller. Despite the age, Streller was the top scorer for his team last season with 19 goals – 8 and 10 more than Stocker and Salah respectively – and has already scored 4 goals in 7 appearances so far this season. He still possesses the qualities with his aerial presence and intelligent play that will pose a threat to opponents. Basel are also adaptable in their formation having played 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 in the Champions League this season during the qualifying rounds with Yakin adjusting to his opponents and situation in matches. It is expected that they will be lining up in a 4-3-3 formation once again with a counter attacking approach in mind and Basel certainly have the players suitable and complimenting it. Yakin allowed several players leave most notably central defender Aleksandar Dragovic – sold to Dynamo Kiev for €9 million during the summer – may have weakened their defence. He has seen his charges conceded 12 goals in 13 matches played this season despite keeping five clean sheets during the run. However, the manager has brought in some replacements in the likes of Ivan Ivanov and Behrang Safari to strengthen the backline and also notably Ivorian Giovanni Sio from Wolfsburg who is capable of playing as a striker or midfielder. Past Meetings (vs FC Basel – P2 W2) 2012/13 Europa League Semi Finals First Leg – Basel 1-2 Chelsea (25th April 2013) 2012/13 Europa League Semi Finals Second Leg – Chelsea 3-1 Basel (2nd May 2013) 2013/14 Season Recent Form (Last 5 Games) Chelsea (W2 D2 L1 F6 A4 CS2) 18th Aug: Premier League – Chelsea 2-0 Hull City 21st Aug: Premier League – Chelsea 2-1 Aston Villa 26th Aug: Premier League – Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea 30th Aug: UEFA Super Cup – Bayern Munich 2-2 Chelsea 14th Sep: Premier League – Everton 1-0 Chelsea Basel (W4 D1 F10 A4 CS2) 21st Aug: Champions League Playoff First Leg – Ludogorets Razgrad 2-4 Basel 24th Aug: Swiss Super League – FC Luzern 1-1 Basel 27th Aug: Champions League Playoff Second Leg – Basel 2-0 Ludogorets Razgrad 1st Sep: Swiss Super League – Basel 2-1 BSC Young Boys 14th Sep: Swiss Sup 2nd Round – FC Munsingen 0-1 Basel Team News Chelsea Jose Mourinho is expected to make a several changes to the starting line-up from the one started against Everton on Saturday. He has already confirmed that Frank Lampard and Oscar – both rested but came on as a substitute at Goodison Park – will start tomorrow in his press conference today and is likely to rotate a few more players. One of David Luiz or John Terry could make way for Gary Cahill in central defence while Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole should continue to feature at right back and left back respectively. The other fullback options in Cesar Azpilicueta and Ryan Bertrand are unlikely to start given they are still lacking full match sharpness and fitness. In midfield, with Ramires suspended – due to red card picked up in the UEFA Super Cup match – and Michael Essien not registered in the Champions League squad, a pivot partnership of John Obi Mikel and Lampard looks likely. Further forward, Eden Hazard may well retain his starting position despite picking up a niggling recently with Belgium and with Oscar confirmed to start, it is left to one of Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Schurrle and summer signing Willian to claim the final spot in the attacking trio behind the striker. After producing a decent performance in his debut on Saturday, Samuel Eto’o could be rested tomorrow and be replaced by Demba Ba who spoke to the media earlier today with his manager. Overall, with the exception of Ramires’s suspension, Mourinho has a full squad of 22 players to select his starting XI from after he confirmed that there are no injuries to them. Goalkeepers: Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Jamal Blackman Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ryan Bertrand Midfielders: Frank Lampard, Oscar, John Obi Mikel, Kevin De Bruyne, Marco van Ginkel, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Andre Schurrle, Willian Strikers: Samuel Eto’o, Demba Ba, Fernando Torres Basel Similarly, Murat Yakin will be expected to make a host of changes to his starting XI having rested key players in his side’s narrow 1-0 win over FC Munsingen in the Swiss Cup on Saturday. The likes of goalkeeper Yan Sommer, defender Fabian Schaar and attacking players of Fabian Frei, Marcelo Diaz, Stocker and Salah are all very much likely to start. Only midfielders Serey Die and Mohamed Elneny will definitely miss this game with injuries. Otherwise, Yakin have a strong squad to choose from. Goalkeepers: Yan Sommer, Germano Vailati, Mirko Salvi Defenders: Philipp Degen, Arlind Ajeti, Ivan Ivanov, Kay Voser, Fabian Schar, Behrang Safari, Gaston Sauro Midfielders: David Degen, Serey Die, Matias Delgado, Valentin Stocker, Fabian Frei, Marcelo Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Stephan Andrist, Mohamed Elneny, Taulant Xhaka Strikers: Marco Streller, Endogan Adili, Kwang Ryong Park, Giovanni Sio Stats and Facts 1. Oscar was the leading goalscorer in the Champions League last season for the Blues as he netted 5 goals from 6 appearances. 2. Chelsea have only ever faced 2 Swiss opponents in European competitions - St. Gallen and FC Basel - and have a record of 3 wins and 1 defeat. 3. Chelsea are unbeaten in opening Champions League group stage matches in this competition - W8 D3. However, all 3 draws came at Stamford Bridge - vs AC Milan, Rosenborg and Juventus. 4. Chelsea have won 26 of their 36 Champions League group stage matches at Stamford Bridge - W26 D8 L2. Overall, the record reads P59 W38 D16 L5. 5. In group matches Chelsea are unbeaten at home since 1 October 2003 when Beşiktaş inflicted a 2-0 defeat. Since then they have won 22 games and drawn 7. (via UEFA) 6. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge as a manager of Chelsea in the Champions League for the first time since September 2007, which incidentally this match is played on the same date as 5 years ago when he oversaw a 1-1 draw against Rosenborg. 7. Basel have scored at least once in each of their 13 games in all competitions this season (23 goals in total). 8. Basel have only won 3 of their 20 European matches against English opponents - D7 L10 - and none of them have come in 10 visits to England - D4 L6. 9. Basel have failed to keep a single clean sheet in their 10 trips to England in European competition but have scored in 7 of those matches. 10. Swiss sides have not recorded a victory in their last 18 European visits to England - D6 L12. 11. Switzerland's representatives have won just twice in 30 away matches against English clubs in Europe. (via UEFA) Match Odds (Final Result/Full Time) Chelsea WIN - 1/4 DRAW - 5/1 Basel WIN - 9/1 (Odds obtained from SkyBet) Rivals Watch (In same group) Schalke vs Steaua Bucharest – 18th September; 7.45pm BST Kick Off TV Depending on where you are from, you can watch the match in the following channels: United Kingdom: Sky Go, Sky Sports 1 Ireland, Sky Sports 1HD United States: FOX Sports 2 Middle East: Al Jazeera Sports Brazil: ESPN India: Ten Action If your country is not listed above, then you can check out the TV Schedule for the match here. There should also be many match streams that can be found online if your local sports channels are not broadcasting the game or if you happen to be busy and cannot catch the game live, follow TalkChelsea on Twitter as it would provide live match commentary on the action. Click here to view article
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