Valencia-Basel betting preview
About 12 years ago, Valencia came up against Basel in a UEFA Champions League. And they administered a 6-2 thrashing when Basel came to Spain. A similar result is now needed, if they are to enter the semi finals of Europa League. Basel defeated them 3-0 in the first leg of the match. The Swiss side is sitting pretty at the moment, knowing they can afford a draw or even a narrow defeat.
The early 2000s were the glory years of Valencia. The team now is a pale shadow of that great team. They are lying eighth in the La Liga, with absolutely no chances of breaking into the top-five. Their only chance of glory in this season is in the Europa League. That too could well end on this Thursday.
Basel is having a good time in the domestic league. They are engaged in a neck-and-neck race with Grasshopper for the Swiss League crown. Against Valencia, they will be more than happy to protect the three-goal advantage they gained in the home leg.
Having registered five draws and three wins in their last eight games, they are in reasonably good form, but not intimidating by any means. The team has not lost a single match in 2014.
In other words, Valencia has a tough task in their hands by all means.
Valencia needs their attackers Jonas, Paco Alcacer and Sofiane Feghouli in top form to accomplish the task. Basel is likely to adopt a defence-first approach. Marco Streller will be the lone striker up front. But team does not lack quality goal scorers, as Fabian Frei and Valentin Stocker will always be on the look-out for goals.
Valencia-Basel Prediction
Either Basel will have to play exceedingly badly or Valencia will have to produce some moments of sheer magic. Otherwise, Basel is going to stroll into the semi finals.
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