Ludogorets vs Basel – Champions League Preview

Ludogorets vs Basel – Champions League Preview

Ludogorets vs Basel on matchday 5 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia will likely determine, which of the two clubs will advance to the round of 32 of the Europa League. The two minnows were drawn into Group A with Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain.

It is no surprise that the two giants have dominated the group, as both clubs are unbeaten with ten points each. Ludogorets and Basel at the meantime have collected one point each from matchday 1 when the two clubs were playing one another in Basel.

Neither team is expected to collect any points on matchday 6, as Ludogorets Razgrad are traveling to Paris, and Basel entertains Arsenal. This means that under normal circumstances the match between the two can be understood as a fight over who will finish third in the group.

https://www.firefan.com/?code=Futbolgrad

Futbolgrad believed before the group stage that Razgrad would finish fourth in Group A, as Basel has developed a reputation as a giant killer in recent years. But the Swiss were unable to replicate their success from 2011, when they knocked Manchester United out in the group stage, in 2013, when they defeated Chelsea in London, and in 2014, when they reached the knockout stage after defeating Liverpool FC.

This season, however, there was no miracle against an English club for Basel, and in fact the Swiss are in danger of reaching the Europa League knockout stage, as Ludogorets holds a small advantage going into matchday 5.

The 1-1 draw between the two clubs on matchday 1 means that the Bulgarians currently hold the away goal advantage. This means that a 0-0 draw, coupled with a likely loss for both teams on matchday 6 would see the Bulgarians through. But there are likely to be goals in this match, as both teams are currently on a good run of form.

Razgrad are first in the Parva Liga three points ahead of Levski Sofia, and the Eagles handily dispatched PFK Beroe on Friday to maintain their lead on top of the table. Basel meanwhile are dominating the Swiss Super League, as they are 15 points ahead of second placed Young Boys Bern, and defeated FC Vaduz 6-0 on Saturday.

This will be a tight and entertaining game in which the Swiss will be slight favourites to walk away with the victory.

Futbolgrad’s prediction: Ludogorets vs Basel 0-2

Possible Line-ups

Ludogorets Razgrad:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Stoyanov – Natanael, Palomino, Plastun, Cicinho – Marcelinho, Campanharo – Wanderson, Juninho, Jonathan Cafú – Keseru

Manager: Georgi Dermendzhiev

FC Basel:

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Vaclik – Riveros, Höegh, Suchy, Lang – Xhaka, Zuffi – Elyounoussi, Delgado, Bjarnason – Doumbia

Manager: Urs Fischer

By Manuel Veth –

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0
DISQUS: 0