Monday, November 21, 2011

| by

0

22.11. (Tue) 20:45 Otelul - Basel

Romanian Liga 1 - FC Steaua Bucuresti v FC Otelul Galati, Bratislav Punosevac
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

OTELUL GALATI


Grahovic
Rapa, Perendija, Costin, Ilie , Filip, Giurgiu
Antal, Ibeh, Frunza
Pena
BASEL

Sommer
Steinhofer, Abraham, Dragovic, J. Park
Shaqiri, Huggel, Xhaka, Zoua
 
Frei, Streller
The home side should have a full squad to choose from with the hosts welcoming back Milan Perendija after the defenders' red card at home to Manchester United kept him out of the return fixture at Old Trafford.

The Romanian champions should also welcome back Ionuţ Neag; the midfeilder is unlikely to start the game but may well feature from the bench.

The visitors will still be without long-term absentees Valentin Stocker and Gilles Yapi who are both still recovering from knee ligament injuries. Kay Voser should also miss out, courtesy of the ankle injury that has kept the defender sidelined since mid-September.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Otelul Galati have mustered just five wins in 11 home matches this season, and four in nine on their travels.
  • The Galati outfit have lost seven of their last 16 games in all competitions.
  • Only one member of Otelul's squad, Sorin Frunza, has played Champions League football before. He made five appearances for FC Unirea Urziceni in the 2009-10 group stage.
  • Basel have scored in each of their 16 league matches this season, keeping seven clean sheets.
  • Alexander Frei has scored 13 goals in his last 13 outings for Basel, including three penalties.
  • Benjamin Huggel is the only player in this season's competition to have collected four yellow cards.
Prediction
The visitors are still in a position to qualify from the group and a win here would leave them with a good chance of realising that dream. With talents such as Xherdan Shaqiri and Alexander Frei among their ranks, the Swiss champions should emerge with a comfortable victory over the Champions League newcomers.
Editor's Prediction
Otelul Galati 0-2 Basel