Basel vs Zalgiris prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-26 19:00.
Just three points separate Basel at the top of UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group H and Žalgiris at the bottom ahead of matchday five. For Basel the mission is relatively simple, win and they’re through to the knockout stages, but with just one victory in their last six outings (D3, L2), such an outcome is not assured and anything less could set up a nervy final group game against Pyunik.
Basel failing to score in four of those six games will undoubtedly be of great concern to boss Alexander Frei, and goals were few and far between in the reverse H2H too, which Frei’s side won by a single goal. Hope springs eternal at St. Jakob-Park though with 16 wins from their last 19 European home games fuelling belief that a place in the knockout stages can be secured here.
Despite footing up the group, Žalgiris still harbour qualification ambitions of their own, though they could be all over if they slump to defeat and Pyunik secure all three points against Slovan Bratislava. Five straight victories in all competitions should boost their hopes of at least taking their push down to the final matchday, with their 2-1 victory over Pyunik in their last European outing now offering up the opportunity to secure back-to-back UECL wins for the first time ever.
The fact that this game is away from home makes achieving that feat a little more problematic though, as Žalgiris are winless in their last four European away games (D1, L3). Alarmingly they failed to score in any of those games, but having scored twice as many away goals as anyone else in their domestic league this season, there is reason to believe Žalgiris could end that run here.
Players to watch: Basel’s Andi Zeqiri struck the decisive goal in the reverse H2H and three of his last four goals have come after the break. Maybe Donatas Kazlauskas will be the man to end Žalgiris’ away goal drought having scored in their last two road trips.
Hot stat: None of Basel’s last 31 European home matches have ended in a draw.