Sevilla vs Basel Prediction and Preview – 17/03/16
Europa League preview – Sevilla vs Basel prediction.
Sevilla midfielder Steven N’Zonzi is suspended for the second leg against Basel and with Grzegorz Krychowiak unlikely to be ready, Sebastian Cristoforo and Vicente Iborra are set to fill the midfield holding roles. Evgen Konoplyanka strained a hamstring against Villarreal on Sunday and is expected to be out of action for about a six weeks. Kevin Gameiro has gone seven games without scoring and has Fernando Llorente pushing for a place.
Basel coach Urs Fischer is pondering a number of defensive concerns with Manuel Akanji and Philipp Deggen ruled out with injury while Walter Samuel will serve a yellow card ban. Michael Lang is also doubtful after being injured in a tackle with Benoit Tremoulinas in the first leg. Right winger Birkir Bjarnason is suffering a fracture in his hand and is doubtful while left winger Jean-Paul Boetius remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Possible Line-ups
Sevilla 4-2-3-1 formation: Soria; Coke, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Tremoulinas; Cristoforo, Iborra; Vitolo, Banega, Krohn-Dehli; Gameiro
Basel 4-4-2 formation: Vaclik; Traore, Suchy, Hoeg, Safari; Calle, Xhaka, Zuffi, Steffen; Delgado, Janko
Statistics
- Sevilla have won 4 drawn 4 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Basel have won 6 drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Sevilla have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Basel have scored an average of 2.6 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Sevilla’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Basel’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Holders Sevilla have another chance to breakdown Basel who held out for a goalless draw in the first leg. Unai Emery’s side maybe considered disadvantaged by the lack of an away goal but his team is on an incredible run at home at the moment. Sevilla have won 16 consecutive competitive home games and their last defeat was against Manchester City in the Champions League group game in November. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have all been defeated in Sevilla this season.
Basel are running away with the Swiss Super League and would love to crown the season by winning the Europa League final when it is hosted at their home ground, St Jakob-Park, on 18 May. Fischer’s side created few chances and in the first leg and must hope Sevilla are in generous mood for the second leg on Thursday. Basel won all three of their away games in Group I and lost by the odd goal in a five-goal thriller at Saint-Etienne in the previous round.
Basel pose a genuine threat on the road but Sevilla’s home form is too compelling to ignore.
Tips
Sevilla to win at 4/9 with Sky Bet
Over 2.5 goals at 77/100 with Marathonbet
Sevilla to win 2-1 at 8/1 with 888sport
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