Venue: St Jakob Park Date: Thursday 25th April K/o: 20:05 BST
Team News
Basel will be without forward Alex Frei for tonight's Europe League semi-final first leg against Chelsea. The Swiss international retired after the elimination of Tottenham in the quarter-finals in order to become sporting director at League club Lucerne. Philipp Degen is a doubt with a muscular injury, and Arlind Ajeti is ready to deputise. Chelsea have handed recalls to defenders Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill for tonight's trip to Switzerland. The England duo were among those that travelled to Switzerland having not featured since 1st April and 30th March through respective hamstring and knee injuries. Brazilian Oscar has also travelled despite a groin problem while Demba Ba is once again cup-tied.
Key Stats
Basel are unbeaten at home in this years Europa League campaign and have only failed to win once at St Jakob-Park since the start of September domestically. The Swiss Super League champions have not lost in their last four meetings against English opposition, scoring at least twice on each occasion (against Manchester United and Tottenham). Chelsea have faced Swiss opponents just once before, losing in the first round of the 2000-01 Uefa Cup to FC St Gallen. Chelsea can become the first side to win Uefa's two top club competitions in reverse order in successive seasons if they can navigate a way past Basel and into the Final.
(Goal.com)
Likely Line-Ups
Basel Sommer, Steinhofer, Ajeti, Dragovic, Schar, Salah, Cabral, F. Frei, Stocker, Streller, Bobadilla
Chelsea Cech, Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Bertrand, Moses, Lampard, Ramires, Oscar, Mata, Torres
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