The Swiss giants reclaimed the Super League title this spring after an eight-year break, also adding the cup. But then the coach changed, and now the team is unlikely to rise above third place. The Czechs were runners-up last season, but now the previously struggling Sparta is ahead again, not to mention Slavia, so the fight is for third place.
Shaqiri and company had a poor Champions League campaign, being knocked out in qualifying by Copenhagen. They also failed to impress in the less prestigious European competition. At home, they managed to beat Stuttgart and FCSB, but lost the other games. Against Red Bull in Salzburg, they failed, losing 1-3.
The visitors also started in the Champions League, with little success: after passing Servette, they lost to Rangers. But in the current tournament, they have managed not to lose at all. There were wins over Malmo and even Roma, and the rest of the matches ended in draws, often goalless. Last Thursday, against Porto, they finished 1-1.
Basel vs Viktoria Plzen: Key Statistics and Trends
Basel have lost six of their last eight European matches
The club scores an average of 1.29 goals and concedes 1.71
Viktoria Plzen have drawn four times in a row
The team scores one goal per game and concedes 0.43
Basel vs Viktoria Plzen: Probable Starting Lineups
Basel (probable lineup): Hitz – Schmid, Daniliuc, Adjetey, Vujo – Lerua, Bachanin, Traore, Shaqiri, Agbonifo – Eduardo
Viktoria Plzen (probable lineup): Wegelee – Spacil, Doski, Suare – Kabongo, Ladra, Valenta, Cherv, Memich – Adu, Vishinsky
Previous Matches: Basel vs Viktoria Plzen
In 2018, the teams played their only match, which was a friendly. The Czechs won 2-1.