The Swiss Super League gets underway this weekend, starting earlier than the rest of Europe and it gives us a chance to witness some competitive football. On the opening weekend we have a great clash between the top two teams in Switzerland, when Young Boys Bern host Basel. The game kicks off at 6pm British Time on Saturday evening.
Super League – Young Boys Bern vs. FC Basel – 22th July 2017 – 18:00
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Draw Best Odd of: 23/10 at Ladbrokes |
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Young Boys Bern
BaselIt is unusual to see the two top teams from a nation facing each other on the opening day of the season, and with no more competitive football in Europe, hopefully many fans will tune in for the occasion. A large crowd is expected and that will make it hostile and tough inside the ground, something Basel will have to cope well with if they are to win this one.
Many expect Basel to win the league title this season, although Young Boys Bern are a good team and they will certainly test Basel in this one, especially on home soil. It is great that we have some competitive football to look forward to this season, and even better that we have a great clash between the top two in Switzerland. Hopefully this is a game to savour and one that lives up to the pre-match build up it has been received from all over the world.
Young Boys Bern Form
With this being the opening game of the season, we have no competitive form to go on. Last season Young Boys Bern finished second in the Swiss league, a huge 17 points behind their opponents this weekend Basel. However, they were 16 points clear of third placed Lugano and going into this season, it looks to me as if a similar scenario will happen at the end of this season with Young Boys Bern finishing a clear second.
Basel Form
Like their opponents, this is the first game of the season for Basel and they head into it looking to secure another Swiss league title. They comfortably won the title last season, without really stepping out of second gear and they are expected to do the same again this season. That means they have a little bit of additional pressure on their shoulder as they are expected to win most games, but they are a quality outfit and worthy favourites for the title.
Team News
I expect that both teams will throw in a couple of surprises at kick off with their line-ups due to it being the start of a new season. Both teams have made new signings and over the course of this month, I expect we will see them settle on a starting eleven, until then places are up for grabs and players will no doubt be trying their hearts out to secure a spot.
As for a star man of the game, I am going to have to choose Basel striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. He joins the champions from Vitesse and scored 20 goals for them last season. He looks capable of lighting up the Swiss league and will be a huge threat for Basel. He adds to an already impressive squad and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him score some early goals for them this season.
Top Betting Tips
We have the top two going head to head in this one, which is a great start to the season and will hopefully be a great advertisement for Swiss football. Basel are comfortably the better of these two teams, and although they are away from home, I will take them to win this game and get their title defence off to the best possible start.
Young Boys Bern are one of the few teams in Switzerland who can trouble Basel, so things won’t be easy for the Champions, but I believe they have enough to win this one. All eyes will be on Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, the new striker brought in by Basel and I am expecting big things from him this season. He has the quality to play at a higher level than this, and should score goals for fun in the Swiss league.
I’m sure this game will be close, and Young Boys Bern will make it tough for Basel, especially as they are at home, but I don’t think they quite have the quality to pull off a victory. In what will be a tight game, I am going to pick Basel to win, and I fully expect them to go on from here and lift another Swiss title.