Shakhtar Donetsk vs Basel Predictions, Betting Tips, and Match Preview. 11-08-20
The Veltins Arena will be hosting its second game in the Europa League knockout stages as Shakhtar Donetsk and Basel go toe-to-toe for a place in the Europa League semifinals. With kick-off set at the regular 19:00 GMT, both managers will be looking to ramp up their team as we're already getting to the business end of the competition.
The Ukrainian side saw off Wolfsburg 5-1 on aggregate, setting up a feisty encounter on Tuesday. They made themselves favourites to progress to the next stage after a 2-1 win away from home in the first leg. In the second leg last Wednesday, Luis Castro’s troops scored three goals in the eight minutes of added time as they ran out 3-0 winners. Junior Morales scored his third goal of the tie with a brace on the night, while Major Solomon scored the other goal.
Basel also registered a big away win in the first leg after thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0. The second leg wasn’t so high-scoring as they claimed a 1-0 win courtesy of an 88th-minute strike from team captain Fabian Frei.
Basel, having conceded the Swiss League title to BSC Young Boys for the second year in a row, will be bidding to equal their best ever Europa League finish which came in the 12/13 season as they got knocked out in the semifinals stage.
They’re heading into Tuesday’s game in pretty decent form having not conceded a goal in the Europa League since the turn of the year.
The Ukrainian Champions, on the other hand, will be tough to beat come Tuesday as they've been at their sparkling best throughout this season. They’re going in search of their second Europa League title after the success in 2009.
Both sides have clashed just twice in European competition with the recent one coming in the Champions League back in 08/09- Shakhtar Donetsk coming out on top in both legs.
David Khocholava will miss this clash following his red card against Wolfsburg in the second leg. Asides that, Luis Castro doesn't have any injury or suspension casualties. With regards to the Swiss outfit, Jonas Omlin, Luca Zuffi, and Eric Ramires are all out injured.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Basel Prediction: 2-1
Given that this is a one-off tie, this encounter suits the Ukrainian Champions. Reason being the fact that they always stick to fast, flamboyant, barraging football. As a result, we're finding it hard backing their Swiss opponents.
