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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
BASEL SommerSteinhofer, Kovac, Dragovic, Joo-Hoo F. Frei, Huggel, Cabral, ShaqiriA. Frei, Streller | BENFICA  Artur Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson Javi GarciaGaitan, Witsel, Aimar, Nolito Cardozo |
Pablo Aimar is expected to start for Benfica after recovering from a minor muscle problem which saw him miss the club's last two games. Javi Garcia has been included in the 21-man squad for the game, and although his involvement remains in doubt because of a leg injury, coach Jorge Jesus could risk him in this clash.
Star playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri will make his first Champions League game of the season for Basel after missing the club's first two matches through suspension. Benjamin Huggel is back in the team after serving a one-match ban for a red card against Otelul Galati.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Basel's 5-1 victory against FC Schotz at the weekend in the Swiss Cup was the first game for coach Heiko Vogel, who replaced Thorsten Fink at the helm of the club.
- The club are currently fourth in the Swiss Super League, with five victories from 11 games.
- Alexander Frei tops the Champions League's scoring charts after netting one goal against Otelul Galati and two against Manchester United.
- Benfica are joint leaders with Porto in the Portuguese Liga, with 17 points from seven games.
- They are undefeated against Swiss opposition in European competitions after meeting La-Chaux-de-fonds in 1964-65 and FC Zurich in 1982-83.
- Both teams have posted a victory against Otelul Galati and a draw against Manchester United in this edition of the Champions League.
Prediction
Basel impressed in their stunning 3-3 draw against Manchester United on matchday two, and will provide a stern challenge for Benfica, who, with four points to their name in the group so far, may be content to accept a point.
Editor's Prediction
Basel 1-1 Benfica 
