Tuesday, November 1, 2011

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02.11. (Wed) 20:45 Benfica - Basel

Xherdan Shaqiri, FC Basel
Bongarts


 PROBABLE LINEUPS


BENFICA

Artur
Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Miguel Vitor MaticGaitan, Witsel, Aimar, Nolito
Cardozo
BASEL

Sommer
Steinhofer, Kovac, Dragovic, Joo-Hoo
F. Frei, Huggel, Cabral, Shaqiri
ChipperfieldZoua


Benfica coach Jorge Jesus will take a seat in the stands for his side's Champions League tie against Basel after an altercation with the match officials in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.


The home side are without Emerson, who is suspended after being sent off in the 2-0 win over Basel in Switzerland. Javi Garcia is a doubt because of a leg injury, whilst Enzo Perez may be absent due to a damaged knee.


Basel's first-choice strikers are both suspended after they both picked up their second yellow card of the tournament so far against Benfica, leaving Heiko Vogel without Alexander Frei or Marco Streller.


The current leaders of the Swiss Super League are also without Yapi Yapo (knee), Valentin Stocker (knee) and Kay Voser for the trip to Portugal as they look to keep pace at the top of Group C.



 DID YOU KNOW?
  • Benfica's line-up against Basel on matchday three consisted of four Brazilians, three Argentines, two Uruguayans, one Spaniard and one Belgian but not a single Portuguese player.
  • Jorge Jesus' side lead Group C after two wins and a draw left them with seven points from their first three games, two points ahead of Manchester United.
  • Benfica midfielder Nicolas Gaitan has three assists in this season’s Champions League, the most of all players.
  • Basel have won their last two away games in the Super Swiss League by a single goal, helping lift them to the summit of the table and have lost just one in 13 matches in all competitions.
  • Portuguese opposition has proven notoriously difficult for Basel; they have failed to pick up a single point or score a goal against opposition from Portugal in Uefa club competitions.
  • Alexander Frei failed to score for the first time in the group against Benfica, after netting three times in his previous two matches.

Prediction
Having clinched victory in Switzerland on matchday three, Benfica have already proven that they are too strong for Basel, and will collect three points here to solidify their position at the top of the group.
Editor's Prediction
Benfica 2-0 Basel