This Group A match sees the favourites of the group host the least fancied team as Manchester United take on Basel.
Manchester United are still top of the Premier League table despite their frustrating 2-2 draw with Stoke at the weekend. Although this Champions League campaign is United’s first since 2015, they are more than used to this level of competition.
The two goals that Jose Mourinho’s side conceded in that aforementioned draw at Stoke were the first two that they had conceded in a competitive match this season. In terms of the forward line, things are also going swimmingly with United scoring two goals or more in each of their four outings so far this campaign.
The Red Devils have had an excellent record at Old Trafford in the last 12 months with their last defeat on home soil in any competition coming on 10th September 2016 in a League Cup tie against local rivals Manchester City. They also have a fantastic record on their own patch in European football with no defeats since losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 back in March 2013 – when Sir Alex Ferguson was still in charge.
Swiss side FC Basel are a classic case of a team being a giant in their homeland and a minnow in the Champions League. However, despite their elevated status in Switzerland, they are having a difficult time at the moment with no competitive win since 13th August.
There have been problems at both ends of the pitch for Raphael Wicky’s men in this bad run with no clean sheets in their three matches since 13th August whilst they have also scored just three goals in that time. However, the fact they found the back of the net 11 times in their four matches prior to this poor run will give Basel some hope. Having said that, FCB have struggled at the back in their recent Champions League campaigns with just one clean sheet in their last eight European outings.
Basel’s away record in European football does not make for good reading with no win since July 2015 and just one goal scored during that time.
Unfortunately for Basel, I cannot see their poor European away record changing here and United obviously go into this match as huge favourites. In terms of the betting, I would go with Manchester United to Win and Under 3.5 Goals Total at Evens. Whilst many are expecting Basel to be thrashed, they are likely to focus on the defensive side of their game and I think United may find it hard to break them down. The bet I have chosen would have won in both of Basel’s last two away games against ‘big’ sides – PSG and Arsenal.