Basel seem to be relishing the underdogs’ tag this season and nobody can really afford to write them off ahead of the semi-final clash with Chelsea.

Europa League is the Blues’ last chance of winning some silverware this season, but that doesn’t mean Rafa Benitez is going to field his strongest side in Switzerland.

Nobody gave Basel any chance of reaching the final stages of Europa League in spite of the team doing fairly well during group stage.

Murat Yakin’s side, nonetheless, first eliminated very good Dnipro side in the first knockout phase, before coming out on top of star-studded Zenit side in the next stage.

The team then produced two stunning performances to eliminate Tottenham on penalties and they now have a chance to fight for a place in the final.

The hosts won’t be too concerned they have been made the underdogs once again, with home win paying 3.13 (85/40) at Stan James.

Boss Murat Yakin managed to rest several starters in the weekend’s draw against Thun, with Phillip Degen and Mohamed Salah set to be recalled.

January signing Raul Bobadilla is cup-tied having featured for Young Boys in the group stage of the competition earlier in the season.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Sommer – P. Degen, Schar, Dragovic, Joo-Ho – El Nenny, F. Frei, Serey Die – Salah, Streller, Stocker.

This season is slowly turning into an utter disappointment for Chelsea, and the Blues don’t have too much time to make things right.

While the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley ended their FA Cup campaign, Chelsea are also in danger of missing out on a top 4 finish in the Premier League after they were denied a victory at Anfield.

The Blues currently sit just one point in front of fifth-placed Tottenham, and they have yet to play Manchester United, Spurs and Everton.

With the Sunday’s game against Swansea obviously the priority at the moment, Rafa Benitez is again set to tinker with his starting line-up, leaving several star players out of the team to face Basel.

John Terry, Frank Lampard and Victor Moses should be recalled, while Fernando Torres keeps his place as Demba Ba is cup-tied.

After scoring in his last three Europa League appearances, the Spaniard is 3.40 (12/5) at BetVictor to score at St Jakob Park.

Chelsea, on the other hand, are 2.50 (3/2) favourites at Betfred to become the first side in Europa League to claim maximum points in Basel this term.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Cech – Azpilicueta, Terry, Luiz, Bertrand – Ramires, Lampard – Moses, Oscar, Benayoun – Torres.

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