Just one week on from losing their Europa League opener against German opposition, FC Basel will brace themseanother Bundesliga rival this Thursday night as they welcome VfB Stuttgart to St Jakob-Park.
The Swiss outfit kicked off their latest European campaign with an away defeat at Freiburg, while the Swabians were able to put three points on the board with a home victory over Celta Vigo.
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Basel vs Stuttgart prediction: Visitors are flying
Key stats
- Basel’s last four matches have all produced over 2.5 goals and saw both teams score.
- Stuttgart’s last five away fixtures have produced over 2.5 goals with both teams scoring.
- Stuttgart have never drawn an away match in the main draw of the UEL, picking up five wins and losing four times.
Correct score prediction: Basel 1-2 Stuttgart
Stuttgart are in the midst of a serious winning run, winning six of their last seven games across all competitions. Basel, on the other hand, enter this fixture on the back of successive defeats. What's more, their defensive record leaves a lot to be desired, considering the Swiss giants have only kept one clean sheet since the start of the season.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Palace favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 27/10 (3.70) – 27.0%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Stuttgart are unsurprisingly the favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points on their travels. A draw can be backed at just under 26%, while a Basel victory is rated at 27%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page, as well as our Europa League predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First meeting in over four decades
Stuttgart prepare to take on Basel in a European competition for the first time since 1978. Back then, the two teams clashed in the old UEFA Cup, with the German side winning 7-3 on aggregate.
Basel preview: Experienced Shaqiri offers key threat
Swiss legend Xherdan Shaqiri offers the most danger for Basel, with the player already scoring six times this term, with four of those arriving before half-time.
Benie Traore has not played since early August, and the forward is expected to remain on the sidelines as he battles with his leg injury. The same goes for defender Keigo Tsunemoto, who is recovering from his hamstring.
Predicted lineup: Hitz (GK), Schmid, Barisic, Vouilloz, Ruegg, Otele, Metinho, Leroy, Salah, Shaqiri & Ajeti
Last five results:
- Basel 1-2 Luzern
- Freiburg 2-1 Basel
- Etoile-Carouge 2-2 Basel (Basel win 3-2 on pens)
- Thun 1-3 Basel
- Sion 0-1 Basel
Stuttgart preview: Goals in the squad
Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic is the man to watch after bagging three Bundesliga goals across his last five games in the competition.
Josha Vagnoman played well against Koln at the weekend and even scored the winning goal as the Swabians took all three points, but he is expected to be on the bench on Thursday. Forward Deniz Undav, meanwhile, remains on the sidelines with an injury.
Predicted lineup: Nubel (GK), Mittelstadt, Chabot, Jaquez, Assignon, Stiller, Andres, Leweling, El Khannouss, Bouanani & Demirovic
Last five results:
- FC Koln 1-2 Stuttgart
- Stuttgart 2-1 Celta Vigo
- Stuttgart 2-0 St Pauli
- Freiburg 3-1 Stuttgart
- Stuttgart 1-0 Borussia Monchengladbach
Player to watch: Ermedin Demirovic
With four goal contributions to his name from his last four appearances, there is not doubt that Ermedin Demirovic is the man to watch this Thursday night. The player will be looking to make his mark on the European stage, which is not great news for Basel's leaky defence.