Basel vs SL Benfica
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Today’s secondary featured game is the UEFA Champions League game between Basel and Benfica in Switzerland.
Basel are an experienced side in this competition but then again, so are Portuguese visitors Benfica. I was at the game where Basel claimed a heroic 3-3 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford and they thoroughly deserved their point. However, United failed to deal with Basel’s injury-hit midfield to any kind of degree and also decided to give Basel’s two vastly experienced strikers all the time in the world so it had to be on the cards. Will Benfica be as stupid? I’m not so sure.
Portuguese sides don’t generally travel well – we all know that. However, this side is very good at keeping the ball and with the likes of Cardozo up front, Benfica definitely have the firepower to dominate Basel here. Benfica have been good so far in this tournament and they managed to rest a lot of players at weekend ahead of this potentially pivotal Champions League game so you can see how seriously they’re taking it.
Lastly, Basel recently lost boss Fink to Hamburger SV, which is a huge blow for them as he made them play this way. They’re still a good side, Basel, and not one that I’d lightly write off. However, Benfica look solid and should be able to capitalise on Basel’s predicament so my call is the away win at 11/10.
Verdict: SL Benfica to win at 11/10.
Tuesday’s Picks
Accumulator fodder:
Nomme Kalju, Flora Tallinn, Real Madrid, Manchester United.
Recommended bets:
SL Benfica, Manchester United, and Real Madrid at around 9/5.
As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!
UEFA Champions League:
CSKA Moscow vs Trabzonspor (7) 2-1
SSC Napoli vs Bayern Munich (5) 1-2
Manchester City vs Villarreal CF (6) 1-0
LOSC Lille vs Internazionale (6) 1-1
Otelul Galati vs Manchester United (8) 0-2
Basel vs SL Benfica (6) 1-2
Real Madrid vs Olympique Lyonnais (8) 2-0
Dinamo Zagreb vs AFC Ajax Amsterdam (5) 1-2
English Championship:
Southampton vs West Ham United (5)
Nottingham Forest vs Middlesbrough (5)
Leeds United vs Coventry City (7)
Barnsley vs Burnley (7)
Millwall vs Brighton & Hove Albion (5)
Ipswich Town vs Portsmouth (7)
Peterborough United vs Cardiff City (4)
Crystal Palace vs Bristol City (6)
Reading vs Derby County (6)
Blackpool vs Doncaster Rovers (7)
Estonian Meistriliiga:
Nomme Kalju vs Viljandi (8) 2-0
Levadia Tallinn vs Flora Paide (7) 1-0
Maag Tammeka Tartu vs Flora Tallinn (8) over 2.5 goals
Singaporean S-League:
Woodlands Wellington vs Geylang United (5) 0-1
Enjoy your free betting tips!