The Round 8 match of the group stage of the 2025/26 Europa League between Basel and Viktoria Plzeň will take place on 29 January at St. Jakob-Park stadium. Basel vs Viktoria Plzeň: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Basel
During the first half of the group stage Basel alternated wins and losses, then it became noticeably more difficult. Last Thursday the club lost away to Salzburg (1:3), so the club failed to collect points in three consecutive European matches. Overall the home team has lost 5 of its last 7 matches in this season's Europa League, accumulating a total of only 6 points in that period. The team occupies 27th place in the table and still has a chance to take part in the play-offs, but this task is achievable only with a victory over Viktoria, and even then it depends on rivals slipping up. We note that the home team changed its head coach — Stephan Lichtsteiner now leads the squad, replacing Ludovic Magnin, who previously worked with the club's youth teams.
- The team has scored in four Europa League matches.
- The home team's uncompromising run in this tournament lasts 19 matches (11 wins, 8 losses).
- The home team conceded at least 2 goals in 7 of its last 9 Europa League games.
Potential Basel Lineup (4-5-1)*
Marvin Hitz – Dominik Schmid, Flavius Daniliuc, Jonas Adjetey, Kevin Rüegg – Marin Šotiček, Andrey Bachanin, Léo Lerou, Beni Traoré, Xherdan Shaqiri – Caio Eduardo.
Defender Keigo Tsunemoto, as well as midfielders Metinho and Philip Otele, are injured.
Viktoria Plzeň
Viktoria Plzeň remains one of three teams that are still unbeaten in the current Europa League campaign. At the same time, as many as 5 of the last 7 matches in this tournament ended in draws, and before travelling to Basel the visitors had drawn four games in a row. Although last week the club was very close to beating Porto, the opponent equalised in the 90th minute (1:1). As a result of that match the visitors secured a place in the play-offs, but avoiding the play-off ties is almost impossible. Viktoria Plzeň trails 8th place by 3 points, and there are several rivals still ahead.
- Since the start of the current Europa League campaign the team has conceded 3 goals in total - this is the best record alongside Lyon and Freiburg.
- The visitors are winning with a +1.5 handicap in five away matches in this European competition.
- No more than 2 goals were scored in 5 of Viktoria Plzeň's last 7 Europa League games.
Potential Viktoria Plzeň Lineup (4-3-3)*
Floran Vegele – Amar Memic, Svetozar Markovic, Václav Jemelka, Karel Spacil – Lukáš Červ, Matěj Valenta, Tomáš Ladra – Matěj Vydra, Rafiu Durosinmi, Prince Kwabena Adu.
Defenders Sampson Dwe and Václav Jemelka have served suspensions.
Referee
Giorgi Kruashvili (Georgia)
Matches – 6 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 35;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 5.8;
Red Cards Shown – 4;
Fouls Per Match – 24;
Penalties – 33%.
Basel vs Viktoria Plzeň: Match Prediction
Basel has seriously complicated its situation ahead of the final round of the group stage. Initially the club at least won every second Europa League match, but now the Swiss side has an unpleasant run of three defeats. The home team now urgently needs a win; however, in seven recent European matches Basel has collected only 6 points, losing 5 of those 7 games.
Viktoria Plzeň, meanwhile, remains one of three teams that have not yet been beaten in the main stage of the Europa League. Although the visitors have drawn five times after seven rounds, we have never seen the club close to a defeat. On the contrary, there have been occasions when Viktoria Plzeň could have won but surrendered the lead in the final minutes.
It is quite possible that the visitors will finish the group stage of the Europa League without a defeat. Prediction: Viktoria Plzeň or Draw
Prediction: Viktoria Plzeň Or Draw
* For each team the starting lineup listed is from its previous match in this tournament.
