Basel vs Viktoria Plzen Preview: Predictions, Team News, Lineups
FC Basel is set to host Viktoria Plzen on Thursday at St. Jakob Park, in the concluding week of this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage. Recently, Basel faced a setback, losing 3-1 against Red Bull Salzburg. In contrast, Viktoria Plzen managed a 1-1 draw with FC Porto in their last match.
Match Preview: Basel vs Viktoria Plzen
Despite experiencing a difficult Europa League campaign, Basel still has a shot at qualifying for the playoffs. They currently hold the 27th position in the league phase table, trailing Celtic by two points and three spots. For Basel to advance, they must win against Viktoria Plzen while hoping for favorable outcomes in other matches.
The recent changes in management saw former player Stephan Lichtsteiner take the reins after Ludovic Magnin’s dismissal. With Basel sitting 10 points behind Swiss league leaders Thun, Lichtsteiner has a challenging task to restore the club’s fortunes.
Viktoria Plzen’s Impressive Run
Viktoria Plzen is unbeaten in the current Europa League season, claiming two wins and five draws from seven matches. This strong performance has secured them a spot in the playoff round. A victory against Basel on Thursday could lead to a more advantageous draw in the next phase.
Notably, their recent draw with Porto marked Viktoria’s first competitive match since December 14, due to the winter break in the Chance League. Currently, the team ranks fourth in the league, trailing Slavia Prague by 13 points. Their defense has been a highlight, having conceded just three goals, the fewest in the competition. However, Plzen has struggled away from home, with no wins in their last six outings.
Team News: Basel and Viktoria Plzen
Basel faces challenges with player absences. Moritz Broschinski, Metinho, and Keigo Tsunemoto remain sidelined, while Brazilian midfielder Kaio Eduardo is out due to a leg injury. Ibrahim Salah’s return is uncertain, and Junior Ze has been loaned to FC Midtjylland.
On the other hand, Viktoria Plzen will miss forward Christophe Kabongo, who was substituted early against Porto. They also have injuries to Lukas Hejda, Jan Kopic, and Jan Paluska. Additionally, Matej Vydra is suspended due to a red card received in the previous match.
Predicted Lineups
| FC Basel | Viktoria Plzen |
|---|---|
| Hitz; | Wiegele; |
| Ruegg, Adjetey, Daniliuc, Schmid; | Doski, Spacil, Souare; |
| Koindredi, Kacuri; | Memic, Zelijkovic, Valenta, Cerv, Visinsky; |
| Agbonifo, Shaqiri, Otele; | Adu, Ladra. |
Match Prediction
Given the recent struggles of Basel in the Europa League, the onset of Lichtsteiner could provide a much-needed boost. With potential playoff spots on the line, Basel is likely to emerge victorious, predicting a score of 3-1 against Viktoria Plzen.
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