Basel v Ludogorets: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, September 12, 2016
Article summary
Ludogorets Razgrad, a team with "great potential going forward", will become the latest side to attempt to disrupt Basel's unblemished start to the season when they meet in Group A.
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Article body
- Basel and Ludogorets Razgrad are in the same group for the second time in three seasons
- Basel have won eight from eight this term, scoring 25 goals in the process
- Ludogorets scored 15 goals in qualifying to reach the group stage
- Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before the deadline
- Elsewhere in Group A: Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal
Possible line-ups
Basel: Vaclik; Lang, Suchý, Balanta, Traoré; Xhaka, Fransson; Bjarnason, Delgado, Steffen; Doumbia.
Out: none
Doubtful: Traoré (muscular), Balanta (muscular), Zuffi (muscular)
Ludogorets: Stoyanov; Minev, Moţi, Palomino, Natanael; Dyakov, Sasha; Wanderson, Marcelinho, Misidjan; Cafú.
Out: Cicinho (ankle)
Doubtful: Abel (unspecified)
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Urs Fischer, Basel coach
There's nothing better for the players than to be playing games like these, but I don't feel much different. In terms of my work, it's business as usual.
Ludogorets have great potential going forward with some very quick players and they try to impose their game whether they are home or away; whether they are playing against Real Madrid or Basel. But if we play our game over 90 minutes and keep our cool, then I believe we are going to see a good performance.
Georgi Dermendzhiev, Ludogorets coach
We've achieved our big goal of being in the Champions League so I'm relaxed about this game. We've picked up more experience in Europe now [compared to two years ago] and we can take confidence from the number of games we have now played on a European stage.
We know Basel have won seven in a row in the league and they're getting better and better by the game, but if we play to our strengths we know we can cause them problems.
Weekend results
Basel 3-1 Grasshoppers (B Bjarnason 28, Doumbia 31 86; Sigurjónsson 45+2)
Basel moved nine points clear in the Swiss Super League, maintaining their 100% record. It was some revenge for the hosts, who lost twice at home to Grasshoppers last term, their only league defeats of 2015/16 at St. Jakob-Park.
Cherno More 1-3 Ludogorets (Palomino og 39; Wanderson 58, Marcelinho 75 84)
Marcelinho capped a memorable week with two goals in Varna as Ludogorets earned their first away league victory of the campaign at the third time of asking. Marcelinho also scored in Bulgaria's 4-3 win against Luxembourg on Tuesday.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Basel: WWWWWW
Ludogorets: WDDWWL
*This season only
Reporter's view: Ben Gladwell (@UEFAcomBenG)
Given the calibre of the other clubs in Group A – Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain – Basel and Ludogorets will be fully aware that the priority is to secure third place. That said, Basel have already upset the likes of Manchester United in recent years so they know a winning start will put the pressure on their next opponents Arsenal; and they will expect nothing less against a team they beat 4-0 in the group stage two years ago.
Did you know?
Ludogorets met Basel in their only previous group stage campaign – who came out on top over the two matches? Find out in our extensive match background.