No one is giving FC Basel any sort of chance to advance to the Champions League Quarterfinals for the first time in club history. FC Basel turned a lot of heads by making it to this point, but it’s hard to see a way for them to move forward at this point.
Manchester City’s dream is still alive. City has already won one title this season, claiming the Carabao Cup over Arsenal last weekend, and have a chance to win three more. Pep Guardiola’s club has been fantastic this season. They have a hammerlock on the Premier League, are in the FA Cup Quarterfinals, and look set to make the Champions League Quarterfinals as well. All they have to do is not completely collapse and they will be through.
Don't miss the Champions League action from Etihad Stadium at 2:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Catch every moment of the match live on FS2.
Champions League Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
FC Basel +1659
Manchester City -771
Draw +658
Over/Under 3 and 3.5
Odds Analysis
No team is a bigger favorite in the second leg of Champions League action than Manchester City. Manchester City have been a club on a mission this season, dispatching of foes left and right with ferocity. The Sky Blues have thrashed Arsenal twice in the last week and will face another Premier League heavyweight when they take on Chelsea on Sunday.
FC Basel is in a freefall at the moment. The most decorated club in Swiss League history is well behind Young Boys for the domestic crown and has dropped four of its last five games. Basel failed to score a goal in each of those four losses, and that lack of offensive firepower is the reason why they are considered such a longshot.
Last Meeting
Manchester City left no doubt who was the better side the last time these clubs met. City jumped on Basel early, with Ilkay Gundogan getting the scoring started in the 14th minute with a header on a corner kick from Kevin de Bruyne. David Silva doubled the lead just a few moments later, connecting from short range after a nice cross from Raheem Sterling.
The lead became 3-0 when City hero Sergio Aguero got in on the action. He beat Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik from outside the penalty area to notch his 29th goal in all competitions this year.
It was all academic from that point on. City had plenty of chances to keep adding to their lead, but only Gundogan succeeded. He provided the final tally in a 4-0 win in the 55th minute.
Guardiola’s side completely dominated possession in this match. City controlled the ball 74 percent of the time and completed nearly three times as many passes as Basel. It was a virtuoso performance from everyone involved.
Injuries to Watch
Manchester City looks to be pretty healthy coming into this match. The only real concerns are Raheem Sterling and Fernandinho. Sterling and Fernandinho each missed City’s match against Arsenal on Thursday, and their status is in doubt for this game.
It appears Basel will have defender Eder Balanta and midfielder Luca Zuffi available for this match. Both were banged up for the first leg and having them healthy will help.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
This is just a mismatch. Basel is in a tailspin, unable to score goals in three of their last four matches against Swiss teams. They are not a club that is able to open it up and score, but they will have to try in order to advance.
That is going to give Manchester City plenty of chances. City will punish Basel early on and then add a few more as the game progresses to cruise to a win.
Champions League Odds: Manchester City 3, FC Basel 0
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