On Thursday night, Basel hosts Fiorentina at the St. Jakob-Park in the Europa League semi-final second leg. The first leg ended 2-1 to Basel.
Basel form guideThe Swiss team have endured an inconsistent recent run of form, as they have won just four of their previous 11 games in all competitions. Last time out, they suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat at St. Gallen. The game was another high-scoring match for Basel, as four of their previous five matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
Basel are unbeaten in their last six matches in the Europa League, although four of the six games have produced draws over 90 minutes. Their recent European games have been high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five matches.
Heiko Vogel’s team has a mixed recent home record in the Europa League, losing one and winning one of their last five matches on home soil.
Fiorentina form guideThe Viola ended a three-game winless run by recording a 2-0 victory last time out at Udinese. Their recent competitive matches have been relatively high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in all competitions in five of their previous eight games.
The first-leg defeat was their second straight loss in the Europa League, although the visitors had recorded nine consecutive wins in the competition.
Fiorentina have a strong recent away record in the Europa League, recording five straight matches on the road while scoring at least three goals in each of the five away wins.
Latest team newsBasel looks set to be without Adriano Onyegbule, Arnau Comas and Sergio Lopez through injury and eligibility issues. Fiorentina’s only likely absentee through injury is goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.
What am I backing?Neither team has been in great form, but they are both a major attacking threat. I believe this will be a high-scoring encounter, so I am backing over 2.5 goals scored in this clash.
