FC Basel
- Basel are a more attack-minded team than Stuttgart under coach Ludovic Magnin.
- But they have a tendency to get picked off at the back when they have overcommitted in Europe.
- The Rot Blau are a team that can score and concede multiple in games, and they have scored in four of their last five matches, but their overall form coming into this clash isn’t great - having won two and lost three of their five previous competitive matches; our FC Basel vs VfB Stuttgart betting tips suggest caution if banking on Basel for a win.
- Shaqiri gives Basel a massive boost and Basel could be dangerous from set plays and counter-attacks.
- The presence of Ajeti and Zé, both of whom have chipped in with important goals in the Super League, provide more than one outlet for the home side.
VfB Stuttgart
- FC Basel and VfB Stuttgart both play high-tempo, pressing football where the full-backs and wingers drive the ball forward and play off the front two or three, which is a key angle in the FC Basel vs VfB Stuttgart prediction.
- Stuttgart have a more flexible system which can change between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2, while Basel are more rigid in their approach, which is usually a 4-2-3-1 with attacking full-backs.
- Sebastian Hoeneß’ men have more balance and momentum, but both sides have scored multiple goals in some of their recent games and Basel can contribute to a goal-fest at St. Jakob-Park on Thursday, aligning with this FC Basel vs VfB Stuttgart betting tips article’s expectation of plenty of attacking action.
- Hoeneß’ team have hit the ground running in the Bundesliga, picking up nine points and moving into the upper end of mid-table following last weekend’s win at Köln.
- They have won four of their previous five games in the German top-flight and Europa League, scoring two or more goals in three of those fixtures and conceding in most.
Head-to-Head
VfB Stuttgart are 2-0 up on Basel in their all-time UEFA head-to-head record and boast a 7-3 aggregate advantage.
Key Players
- Shaqiri gives Basel a massive boost and Basel could be dangerous from set plays and counter-attacks.
- The presence of Ajeti and Zé, both of whom have chipped in with important goals in the Super League, provide more than one outlet for the home side.
- Ermedin Demirović looks like a terrific number nine for Stuttgart and is capable of outmuscling Basel’s defenders.
- Bilal El Khannouss gives Stuttgart an advantage in terms of creativity and set-piece threat.
Betting Insights
- The oddsmakers make the visitors slight favorites at around 1.85, making Basel around 3.8 to win and the tie at 3.9. These numbers highlight why the latest FC Basel vs VfB Stuttgart betting tips recommend considering the away side.
- Backing Over 2.5 goals at 1.5 looks like a sensible play here with BTTS at 1.49 matching the expectation that this should be an attacking game.
Prediction
Stuttgart are just about right at the odds to take the three points and could edge the game 2-1 , though Basel could force a draw if they control midfield early.
