Liverpool vs Basel Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Up, Prediction & Betting Tips

It promises to be another enthralling night of European action at Anfield as Liverpool take on FC Basel in their Champions League decider.

The Reds have picked up just four points from their first five Group B games but go into tonight’s game sitting just two points behind second-placed Basel.

Therefore, Brendan Rodgers men have fate in their own hands as victory will ensure they leapfrog the Swiss champions and secure qualification to the knockout stages.

It will be interesting to see how Basel approach the game as they only need to avoid defeat to book their place in the last 16, but they could be in for a long evenings work if boss Paulo Sousa sets his side up just to defend for 90 minutes.

If Liverpool fail to get the win they need they’ll be left battling Ludogorets for third spot and will need to match the Bulgarians result against Real Madrid to take a Europa League place.

BACK LIVERPOOL TO WIN AT CRAZY ODDS OF 5/1 + MONEY BACK IF YOU LOSE

Team news

Rodgers confirmed at his press conference on Monday that none of his injured players are likely to return tonight.

That means Mario Balotelli is set to miss his sixth match since picking up a groin injury while away with the Italy squad last month.

With Daniel Sturridge over in the United States working on his fitness, Rickie Lambert will once again lead the line up front.

Mamadou Sakho trained with the rest of the first team squad on Monday so has an outside chance of being on the bench, but the Frenchman is unlikely to be fit enough to start so Kolo Toure could keep his place at the back.

One change Rodgers is certain to make is to recall Steven Gerrard after resting him for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland, and Liverpool will be looking to their skipper to provide a moment of magic just as he did 10 years ago against Olympiakos.

Likely Line-Up

Predicted Score

Liverpool 2-1 Basel: The Reds have been well below par for much of the group stages so far but are fortunate enough to know that victory tonight will secure a last 16 place. I think Basel are going to find it difficult to find the right balance between sitting back and knowing when to come out. Anfield will be buzzing for the game and I can see Liverpool getting the win they need….just. Who’s betting on Gerrard to score the winner?!

Betting Tips

Liverpool are the heavy favourites to win tonight and we’ve got an exclusive offer for you to get enhanced odds of 5/1 on a home win with Betfair. A 2-1 victory if also on offer at 9/1 while I like the look of Raheem Sterling to open the scoring at 15/2. If we combine those bets in a scorecast then we get very tempting odds of 64/1. Surely that’s got to be worth a few quid?!

BACK LIVERPOOL TO WIN AT CRAZY ODDS OF 5/1 + MONEY BACK IF YOU LOSE

What team would you like to see start and whats your predicted score for the game?