Trabzonspor vs FC Basel 1893 Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 15/02/2023, 06:35  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/02/2023 at 07:36 in Conference League Predictions

Trabzonspor host Basel in the Europa Conference League (ECL) Knockout Play-off round. Two Turkish clubs (Basaksehir and Sivasspor) are already through to the last 16 of the ECL this season. Trabzonspor are the defending Turkish Super Lig champions but only sixth this season and 16 points behind the league leaders Galatasaray but only a couple of points adrift of the final ECL qualification spot. They have lost ground with two losses in their last three league games but one was a 2-1 loss at Galatasaray. It's their away form which is their big problem this season and they are yet to lose in 12 home league games with just four goals conceded. They have played 39 competitive home games since their last defeat. That was inflicted by Roma in August 2021 in the ECL. European competition this season has seen them lose to FC Copenhagen in the Champions League qualifying rounds and then finish third behind Ferencvaros and Monaco in their Europa League group. They missed out on qualification by a point and again it was their away form that was their undoing with all three lost, while winning their three home matches. 

Basel are only sixth in the Swiss Super League but that's only three points behind the final ECL qualification spot. Their current form is not good with a win over Sion (eighth in the table) ending a run of one point from four Super League fixtures. Basel finished second behind Slovan Bratislava in their ECL group and only missed out on top spot on head-to-head results. They earned seven points from their three away ECL group games but it wasn't the strongest of oppostion. Away form isn't great of late though with only one of their last eight Swiss Super League games being won. Trabzonspor should be backed to get a narrow win in this first leg.