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FC Basel will try to protect home court advantage when they meet a team that struggles on the road, in the form of FC Sevilla, in the Europa League round of Last 16.
Basel did great to knock out St Etienne in the previous round (2-3, 2-1), it was a breathtaking tie which saw the Swiss team claim the winning goal in the last minute of the second leg. The hosts are playing some good football this season, they have a great roster and the loss in France was their only defeat since November. With a 14 point cushion at the top of the league, Basel can fully focus on their European games and used heavy rotation in a 1-1 draw at Thun over the weekend.
Sevilla is coming after a poor performance in a 1-1 draw at Getafe, arguably their worst game of the year. It was yet another road match they failed to win. Sevilla’s stats in the last few months are incredible – they won their last 15 home matches in all competitions, but they won just 3 times on the road all season, all victories coming in Copa Del Rey. Sevilla hasn`t won a single away game in La Liga or in Europe this season.
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Team news & lineups:
Akanji, Embolo, Boetius and Sporar are out for Basel. Vaclik and Bjarnason are doubtful. Sevilla can field its best lineup with the exception of Pareja and probably Krychowiak.
FC Basel: Vaclik – Lang, Suchy, Samuel, Safari – Xhaka, Zuffi – Steffen, Delgado, Calla – Janko
FC Sevilla: Soria – Coke, Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Escudero – Iborra, N’Zonzi – Vitolo, Banega, Kkrohn-Dehli – Gameiro
While Sevilla is definitely the team to beat in this tie and they are in decent form, I reckon they will have to achieve qualification at home. Basel is a strong, experienced side, not many teams can come to Switzerland and beat them. As such, Sevilla’s dreadful stats on the road are definitely not a good sign for the visitors.
The Spaniards are simply a different team outside the comfort of their own stadium and in Europe managed to lose all 4 away matches – including against Molde last round, but after winning 3-0 at home. I can`t see Basel losing at home against a side that can`t win on the road to safe their lives. Look for an evenly matched clash and Basel might even be able to snatch a win if they will be clinical in front of goal. My tip is FC Basel +0,5 handicap, odds on this bet definitely seem to have value. Prediction: Basel – Sevilla 2-1.
Pick: Basel +0,5
Odds: 1.78 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.24
Event date: 10 March
