Roma - Basel
Football: Europa League 2009/2010
Wednesday, 3rd December 2009. Kickoff 21:05

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Roma (Italy)

Roma will meet Basel for the fifth round of the Europa League with the clear intention of winning the match and therefore obtaining, with some advance, the qualification to the next step of the competition.

In fact, during the sixth round, Roma will face CSKA Sofia who are at the bottom of Group E with just one point and that should turn out to be an easy match.

The away win against Atalanta in Serie A was certainly an important shot in the arm for coach Ranieri and his players. This way, with two wins in a row, they are approaching the top standings of the Serie A.

However, for the match against Basel, coach Ranieri will still miss Tonetto, while Cassetti is back with the group, just like De Rossi who, as a precaution, may be kept at rest for the match against Lazio, next Sunday.

Thus, the starting eleven for the match against Basel could be the same of the win over Atalanta. The only possible doubts for Ranieri may come from the lining up of Juan instead of Burdisso in the back four and the preference of Taddei instead of Menez right behind the lone striker, that is captain Totti.

Roma absolutely need to win this match if they do not want Fulham, who will be playing against CSKA Sofia, to be dangerous again for the qualification to the next step.

Therefore, they should try not to leave too much initiative to their opponents, just like they did with Atalanta when, during the second half, they risked to equalise in several situations. Burdisso may be lined up as left back in order to give Riise some rest.

De Rossi should be playing for a whole half time, while one between Vucinic and Menez will be given some rest. Motta, Cicinho and Cassetti will compete for the role of right full back. Totti will be playing in the starting eleven.

Expected formation and line up :
Roma (4-2-3-1)
Julio Sergio Bertagnoli,
Marco Motta, Juan, Philippe Mexes, Nicolas Burdisso,
Matteo Brighi, David Pizarro,
Rodrigo Taddei, Julio Baptista, Mirko Vucinic,
Francesco Totti

Basel (Switzerland)

Basel's fantastic run of domestic form was put to an end by title rivals and league leaders Young Boys who claimed a comfortable 2-0 win at their Wankdorf stadium.

The Red-Blues, who have only one domestic round left to play before the winter break, will now turn their attention to the Europa League, as they will try to put themselves back on the European map by claiming a knock-out place in the competition where they narrowly missed out on a semi final place four years ago.

Basel are currently topping this group, but will need to defeat Roma or to hold Fulham to a draw at home in order to seal their place in the final round.

Obviously, the latter looks like a much more realistic objective, but manager Fink remains adamant that his side will travel to Rome looking to get a good result.

Keepers Costanzo and Colomba are both out, so Wessels, who joined a club a month ago but surely doesn't lack in experience, will continue between the posts.

Central defender Abraham is out, Marque has been out since the start of the season, while playmaker Da Silva, who failed to impress since joining in the summer, will have surgery on his recurring injury and is set to miss out as well.

Utility man Shaquiri is the last name on the list of absentees, but Fink will be able to field the same set of outfield players which he probably would've fielded even if all of his players were available.

Expected formation and line up :
Basel (4-4-2)
Stefan Wessels,
Cagdas Atan, Cabral, Samuel Inkoom, Behrang Safari,
Marcos Gelabert, Benjamin Huggel, Valentin Stocker, Scott Chipperfield,
Alexander Frei, Marco Streller

Betting advice

My main idea here is that Basel may have a less concentrated approach since they're topping the group and have one home game in store. My confidence in Lupi could've been higher if it wasn't for the derby this week-end.

Anyhow step by step Roma is restoring its power under Ranieri.

The best bet here is to go for the over 2.75 goal line - Lupi have been struggling to keep the back line properly and concede in every match. On the other hand - offensively Vucinic, Totti and Menez are a real threat on a good day.

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Over 2.75 goals @ 1.80 with Bet365

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Roma (-1) @ 1.875 with Bet365