After stunning Cska Moscow with a 2-0 win in Russia ten days ago, Basel will be hosting the Russian outfits in St. Jakob Stadium in a game that will most likely decide the team that progresses to the knock-out stage. Basel goes into the game after playing to a barren draw against FC Zuerich at the weekend in the Swiss Super League. The Swiss reigning champions currently occupy the second spot in the domestic league, trailing league leaders, Young Boys by four points.
CSKA Moscow badly needs to win this fixture to stand a chance of progress in the next stage of the competition.
The Russian giants are currently placed third in Group A of Champions League after winning a single of their three opening fixtures. CSKA Moscow heads into the fixture after suffering a shocking 1-0 defeat to league minnows, Arsenal Tula at the weekend.
Talking points
- Basel has won the Swiss Super League 20 times with the last eight glories coming in eight consecutive seasons. The club is currently fourth and is on course to win the title for the ninth time in a row.
- Basel hasn't won any European competition, but Swiss side is proud to have reached quarter-finals of Champions League in 1973/74. Also, Basel has progressed to the Round of 16 of the competition on two occasions, the latest being 2014/15.
- No Russian team has won Champions League, but the nation hosted the competition's final in 2007/08 in which Manchester United beat Chelsea to win the title. However, CSKA Moscow was the first Russian side to win Europa League in 2005 before Zenit St. Petersburg matched the feat in 2008.
- The Swiss champions are undefeated in their last eight games in all competitions. The last time that Basel lost was the 2-1 defeat at the hands of St. Gallen in September.
- CSKA Moscow is currently third in the Russian Premier League, but the team is winless in its last three matches in all competitions.
Team news
Basel manager Raphael Wicky used the same squad that beat CSKA Moscow 2-0 to bag a point in the Super League 0-0 draw at FC Zuerich over the weekend.
Apart from the undoubtful Ricky van Wolfswinkel, all other players are available for selection. Raphael Wicky could name the same side that was victorious in Russia in the 2-0 win.
The visitors travel to Switzerland without the injured duo of Alan Dzagoev and Vasili Berezutski who are both nursing injuries. Viktor Goncharenko is expected to name a strong side with the aim of winning the match and progressing to the knockout at the expense of Basel.
Full-time prediction: Basel 1-2 CSKA Moscow
