Chelsea must beat tricky Basel

12Apr 2013

Europa Liga

If Chelsea are to progress to the final, they must overcome Tottenham's conquerors Basel, while Fenerbahce meet Benfica...

Chelsea may have avoided a date with fellow Champions League drop-outs Benfica but landing a second successive European trophy will not be easy after they drew Swiss champions Basel.

This talented Basel side have already accounted for Tottenham in the quarter-finals, albeit by the lottery of penalties in the end, so the current champions of Europe are sure to be tested over two legs.

It's far from gloomy for Rafa Benitez's Blues though, as the balls delivered the preferable scenario of a return leg in London after the trip to Switzerland.

Basel were only outsiders for glory by a shade from Fenerbahce before the draw but have understandably lengthened from 7.8 out to 9.4.

Their English opponents have also opened as slender favourites to win the first leg in Basel at 2.3, with the Swiss club available at 2.62 to excavate an advantage.

Chelsea's chances of adding the Europa League to their maiden Champions League triumph have shortened slightly from 2.52 pre-draw to 2.36, attributable mainly to avoiding Benfica.

The architects of Newcastle's quarter-final downfall are still the only team to have nullified Barcelona on their own patch this season, so provide formidable opposition.

Benfica also dumped Rafa's Champions League-winning Liverpool side out of Europe's top competition in 2005/06, so the Spaniard will have been wary of the Portuguese threat.

The price of Benfica's final-four opponents Fenerbahce, led by the likes of ex-Liverpool duo Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles, to land a first European trophy has stayed motionless at 7.6.

The Turkish side have been really impressive during this campaign, overcoming Lazio in the last round to engineer this date with Benfica.

The Portuguese leaders remain clear second favourites though, not far behind Chelsea at 2.92, moving out by a mere morsel from 2.9.

On their own turf for first leg, Fenerbahce can be backed at 2.36, whereas Benfica are 2.44 to take a lead back to Lisbon.