Chelsea
Chelsea vs Basel Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Up, Key Man & Predicted Score
Chelsea kick off their 2013/14 Champions League campaign against FC Basel at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Here’s a preview with team news for the match.
Chelsea kick off their 2013/14 Champions League campaign against FC Basel at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
It’s six years to the day since Jose Mourinho was sacked as Chelsea boss following a 1-1 draw against Rosenborg and the Portuguese coach will be looking to get his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge off to a more positive note in Europe this evening.
Mourinho led the Blues to two semi-final appearances during his first spell in charge but will be hoping this is the year he lifts the Champions League for the third time having previously won it with Porto and Inter Milan.
Chelsea fell at the first hurdle last season, becoming the first defending champions to be knocked out at the group stages, but Rafa Benitez ended up leading the team to glory in the Europa League with victory over Benfica in the final last May.
The west Londoners have been handed a kind draw after being placed in Group E alongside tonight’s opponents FC Basel as well as Schalke and Steaua Bucharest, so they will be confident of making it to the knockout stages this time around.
Basel have plenty of Champions League experience but were dispatched 5-2 by Chelsea in last seasons semi finals of the Europa League, so the Swiss champions will be hoping to make more of a game of it tonight.
Team News
Chelsea will be without midfielder Ramires who misses out through suspension having been sent off in last months European Super Cup defeat to Bayern Munich.
John Obi Mikel is likely to start in midfield alongside Frank Lampard – who is a confirmed starter along with Brazilian playmaker Oscar.
Mourinho could hand a debut to attacker Willian as he looks to make changes following a 1-0 loss to Everton on Saturday. Fernando Torres could also be in line for a recall after dropping to the bench in favour of Samuel Eto’o at the weekend.
Basel will be without midfielder Serey Die and Mohamed Elneny for the clash but coach Murat Yakin with Marco Streller and Mohamed Salah up front.
Likely Line-Up
Key Man
Eden Hazard: The Belgian international had a rare off day against Everton on Saturday but when he’s on form he’s almost unplayable. He’s due a performance and we’ve picked him as the one to watch tonight.
Predicted Score
Chelsea 3-0 Basel: Chelsea are formidable in Europe at home and Basel have a poor away record, so we can only see one winner here.
What would be your preferred line-up and what’s your predicted score for the game? Share your views below.
solosman
September 18, 2013 at 2:33 pm
my lineup z cech,ivan,cahil,luiz,cole,mikel,lampard,hazard,willian,oscar,torres.
aiyevbomwan mark
September 18, 2013 at 2:55 pm
cech,,luiz,,chill,Ivan,, Cole,,mike,Mata,Oscar,hazard,William,torres
stuart
September 18, 2013 at 3:02 pm
where is lampard in your team? can you read?
Charles
September 18, 2013 at 3:13 pm
Lampard is a Cfc legend yes but he is not any where deserve to be in the current first IX let be frank to our selves! Good day
Charles
September 18, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Lampard should go and rest or come in as subt
stuart
September 18, 2013 at 4:41 pm
regardless of what you say you just cannot grasp the FACT that lampard is starting….stated by jose in his press conference?
Mathew
September 18, 2013 at 3:02 pm
Cech ivan cahill lius cole mikel oscar mata hazzard william torres
Morgan Bruce
September 18, 2013 at 3:05 pm
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Charles
September 18, 2013 at 3:05 pm
cech,ivan,cahil,luiz,cole,mikel,willian,hazard,mata,A shur,torres.
stuart
September 18, 2013 at 3:10 pm
again….are all of you people on here retarded? you are putting your team lists up without lampard! he is starting……
chris
September 18, 2013 at 3:16 pm
cech,luiz,ivan,cole,cahil,lamp,mikel,hazard,osca,mata,ba.
Nana Amoakwaw Buadu
September 18, 2013 at 3:21 pm
yh my oprion of the startin g line-up shud be;
cech,ivanovic,cahill,luiz,cole,lampard,mikel,mata,oscar,hazard,torres
udoka kristian
September 18, 2013 at 3:26 pm
lampard is no more 90 mins player…. I don’t know why Jose mouirinho is always featuring him… I think is high time Jose get his first XI or get booted….. Bs he seems to be confused one now… If lampard start… Chelsea will still continue struggling if not chelsea will fly high ….
My predicted line up
Cech-Cole-Cahill-Luiz-ivanovic-Mikel-Essien/vanGinkel-Willian-Oscar-Hazard-Torres goodluck blues
wydus
September 18, 2013 at 3:34 pm
cech.cahill.luiz.ivanovic.cole.mikel.williams.oscar.mata.hazard.eto dat is gud information thank’s
Morgan Bruce
September 18, 2013 at 3:42 pm
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kenneth o chigozie
September 18, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Hi my line is cech ivanovic luiz cahil cole mike mata william oscar hazard etoo or torres
john awotwe
September 18, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Cech. Inv cole cahill luiz . De bruyn lampard. oscar willian Hazard Ba
Harrison Akpona Okorobobi
September 18, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Up bluesssssss
Dreiko
September 18, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Y z ginkel nt playin, whilst lampard who z playin nafin stil featurin
VICTOR
September 18, 2013 at 4:09 pm
cech,ivan. louis. cahil . ashly. LAMP. mikel.mata. oscar. hazard. torres.
this is my starting ix in a 4231 formation
kenneth o chigozie
September 18, 2013 at 4:10 pm
How will i conect you
Abukar
September 18, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Let chelsea play like this,if jose is serious:cech cole cahill luiz ivanovic mikel van Ginkel oscar mata Hazard and Torres.2nd half mata out willian in,Torres out Eto’o in.
franca
September 18, 2013 at 4:29 pm
cech, luiz, cole, cahil, amzp, mikel, oscar, hazard, willian, mata, ba, up blues
Crisel
September 18, 2013 at 6:22 pm
What about cech, Caesar, cahil, jt, Cole, vankigel, lampard, shurrle, Oscar, hazard, eto
Crisel
September 18, 2013 at 6:25 pm
What about cech, Caesar, cahil, jt, Cole, vankigel, lampard, shurrle, Oscar, hazard, eto. 4-4-2 formation will be good. Chelsea 4-1 basel
kobbyrussell
September 18, 2013 at 6:41 pm
cech,iva,Luis,cahill,cole,ramires,Oscar,willian,hazard,mata,eto’o
Harrison Akpona Okorobobi
September 18, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Up blues
Jeff guy
September 18, 2013 at 6:51 pm
Essien is nt in chelsea squard in uefa champions league dis season by mouriho wish