Basel v Bayern Munich
Football: European Champions League, Last 16 First Leg
Wednesday 22 February 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV

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Basel

Are Basel the biggest surprise entrant at this stage of the Champions League this season? They definitely would have a case, although I am sure Apoel fans would say their club should be bestowed with that honour! The Swiss side were the team that everyone would have been very happy to draw at this stage, but they have already sent out a warning of their capabilities by qualifying for the last 16.

Basel are still the overwhelming favourites to win the Swiss National League title as they hold a 6 point lead over their rivals with an extra game in hand to play and they earned a 2-2 draw at 2nd placed Young Boys last weekend. There should also be confidence from the fact they finished above Manchester United in the group stage of the Champions League, finishing with a 2-0-1 record at home, including a win over United that earned them their place in the last 16.

The team are also unbeaten in their last 13 games in all competitions since suffering a 0-2 loss here to Benfica in October. Basel had won 4 in a row since that defeat, although they were held to a 0-0 draw against Sion in their most recent game here. Basel have won 3 of their last 4 games at home in the Champions League since losing 5 straight in the group stage.

Scott Chipperfield and Philipp Degen are both ruled out, while Kay Voser is a doubt.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have some real ambitions of playing in their home stadium in the Champions League Final this season, but they have hit a sticky patch of form ahead of this tough looking encounter. The Bavarian giants will surely feel they are capable of winning this one over the two legs, but the fans and management staff are expecting a big performance tonight to make life that much easier.

The team currently sit 3rd in the Bundesliga and are 4 points behind Borussia Dortmund in the race for that title. While their form at home has not been that impressive of late, Bayern will look to the fact that they topped a tough group in the Champions League ahead of Napoli, Manchester City and Villarreal, although they were only 1-1-1 away from home in those games.

Munich were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw at Freiburg over the weekend and that has led to plenty of criticism for them from former players. They are unbeaten in their last 5 games in all competitions since losing 3-1 at Borussia Monchengladbach, but they are have also won just 1 of their last 4 away games. Bayern may not have won either of their last 2 away games in the Champions League, but they had won 6 of 7 previously.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been ruled out along with Daniel Van Buyten and Diego Contento.

Head to Head

These two sides actually met in the group stage last season, with Bayern Munich winning both games.

They won 3-0 in Munich, and picked up a 1-2 win here despite falling behind after 18 minutes. It was Bastian Schweinsteiger that scored both Bayern goals on that occasion, although he won't be back for a repeat this time.

Prediction

I know there is a lot of interest in people opposing Bayern Munich here, and their recent form makes it for good reason. However, I have a feeling they are going to be too strong for Basel from what I saw of the Swiss side in the group stage.

The team allow far too many chances to be created, although posing a threat going forward, and I think Bayern do have the players that can take advantage of that.

Munich also have a very strong pedigree away from home in the competition over the last couple of seasons and they have won here just last season.

Basel will not make things easy, but I have a feeling that Bayern are going to be too strong for them and they may be able to win this game if the Swiss side overcommit with the ambition of taking a lead back to Munich in three weeks time.

The Pick :

Basel 1-2 Bayern Munich

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Bayern Munich - 0.75 Asian Handicap @ 1.85