Grasshoppers vs Basel Prediction: Hosts taken to edge it

Grasshoppers and Basel are searching for their first Swiss Super League win of the season as they prepare to square off at the Letzigrund on Saturday.

That perhaps shouldn't come as a major shock, with Basel only managing to finish eighth last season and Grasshoppers avoiding relegation only via a 91st-minute winner in their two-legged playoff with Thun.

Marco Schallibaum's side have passed up the chance to win in both games so far, while Basel have leaked five goals in two outings already. Below you can find my Grasshoppers vs Basel prediction.

Grasshoppers vs Basel Odds

The early odds have been unable to split this pair. Even with home advantage, Grasshoppers are 6/4 to get the win, with Basel also priced at 6/4 to get all three points and the draw rated an 11/5 chance. Over 3.5 gaols is priced at 7/4, while both teams to score in the first half is rated a 3/1 chance.

Team News

Michael Kempter and Joshua Laws are absentees for the home side, who are also set to remain without the services of Dirk Abels for at least another few weeks.

Basel are waiting on a return date for Mohamed Drager, while Gabriel Sigua's muscle injury will likely keep him out for another few weeks. Thierno Barry scored a brace in the opening loss at Lausanne but was absent for the defeat against Lugano last week.

Football Odds

Grasshoppers to win @ 6/4

After being the dominant force in Swiss football in the early part of this century, winning a dozen titles between 2001/02 and 2016/17, FC Basel have suffered something of a fall from grace in recent times.

They finished eighth last season, a major disappointment, and their opening showings this term suggest it could be more of the same this time around.

They conceded three first-half goals in the curtain raiser against Lausanne and were behind inside 10 minutes last time against Lugano.

Grasshoppers led that same opponent in week one but succumbed to a pair of goals beyond the hour, the winner in injury time. They turned around a half-time deficit against Luzern last time to lead 2-1 but were pegged back late on again.

Having twice been in winning positions, they have reason to be confident of getting a first three-pointer on the board now. Grasshoppers have also won three of the last four meetings with Basel and, with home advantage, are best placed for this one.

Under 2.5 goals @ 1/1

Even at this early stage in the season, the confidence levels within both squads will be taking a knock as they wait for a win.

Fabio Celestini's outfit are lacking a winning mentality, while Schallibaum's team know that they have to convert those winning positions if they want to steer clear of another relegation scrap.

Six of Basel's last eight Super League games away from home have stayed under 2.5 goals, and that's an outcome worth siding with now, as two of the previous three meetings have been decided by a single goal.

Offers

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