Chelsea’s current record against Basel reads: won two, lost one, but the Blues are confident in the knowledge that victory away to the Swiss side on Tuesday evening will guarantee they finish top of Group E, with one match still left to play.
A surprise defeat at Stamford Bridge against Basel in their opening Champions League game raised questions about Chelsea’s European credentials, but since then Jose Mourinho’s men have won three on the trot, including twice against Schalke to put them in control of a group which has been largely unpredictable.
While victory looks a distinct possibility, Chelsea will be wary of the threat their opponents present. Mourinho has a very strong squad to pick from, despite David Luiz being ruled out with a knee injury and Ashley Cole still struggling with a rib injury.
It seems likely then that Cesar Azpilicueta will continue at full-back, while there could be a surprise return for Fernando Torres, who has travelled with the squad despite a groin complaint. The Spanish striker looked sharp prior to his injury and Mourinho may use this fixture to give him some much needed game time.
Basel on the other hand look to be nursing a few injuries to their playing staff, with Marcelo Diaz, Behrang Safari and Serey Die all facing late fitness tests.
Mohamed Salah v John Terry
With David Luiz ruled out through injury, it seems as though the likeliest defensive pairing will be John Terry and Gary Cahill. The pair looked solid in Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over West Ham, but they will be more than wary of the threat posed by the Basel attack line. Cahill has a certifiable nightmare as Mohamed Salah and Marco Streller found the net for the Swiss side, so it will be down to John Terry to bring a more calming influence to the backline this time.
Philipp Degan v Andre Schurrle
Jose Mourinho has shown a habit of rotating his attack this season – especially for European fixtures – so it looks unlikely that he will stick with the players who featured in the recent victory over West Ham. This suggests there could be a starting berth handed to summer signing Andre Schurrle, who thoroughly impressed against Schalke last time out. The German international will have to find his way past Philipp Degan, however, with the Swiss defender tipped to start at full-back.
Fabian Schar v Fernando Torres
Despite flashes of brilliance, Samuel Eto’o continues to underwhelm in a Chelsea shirt. The Cameroon striker has three goals in his last three appearances in all competitions – thanks largely to a brace against Schalke – but his lack of consistency in front of goal may worry Mourinho. With goals needed to guarantee they progress as group winners, the Chelsea boss could well hand a start to the Fernando Torres. Although he has been wasteful at times this season, his work-rate cannot be faulted and this could be the perfect opportunity to get game time under his belt. Basel’s Fabian Schar did a great job in nullifying the threat of Eto’o at Stamford Bridge, but in the altogether more mobile Torres, he may have his work cut out.
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