Basel
BarcelonaBy Kelechi Balogun — Football expert specializing in European and American leagues
Barcelona continue their pre-season preparations, and for their penultimate friendly they have chosen Swiss giants Basel. The visitors are known for their own attacking, dominant style, which should make this encounter a lively affair. All tickets have been sold, and fans are eager to see Lamine Yamal take the field. But will Hansi Flick field a lineup close to his first-choice eleven?
Basel failed to reclaim the Swiss Super League title at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Worse still, during the season the board made a bold decision and replaced the head coach. The club turned to Stefan Lichtsteiner, a 42-year-old who previously worked with youth sides. The impact of his appointment has been patchy – the “Rotblau” missed out on the Europa League knockout stages, finished only fifth in the league, and consequently have no European football this season. Over the summer, Lichtsteiner has tried to instil a dominant, high-intensity brand of football. He himself stressed the importance of teaching his players defensive reliability and sharpening their ability to convert chances.
So far, reality has fallen far short of those ambitions. In the opening rounds of the domestic season, Basel lost at home to modest Lausanne (0–1), conceded three times in three games, and against Servette (1–0) scored only once from 2.20 xG – precisely the kind of underperformance Lichtsteiner wanted to fix. Part of this can be blamed on a major squad overhaul. Over the summer, the club lost left winger Beni Traoré (11+5 in 45 appearances last season), centre-back Adrian Barišić (25 games), left wing-back Dominik Schmid (3+5 in 48 matches), attacking player Ibrahim Salah (4+3 in 37 outings), and others.
Replacements have been brought in, but they need time to adapt. Lichtsteiner is giving them that time. In the most recent match against Thun (4–2), five new signings started, including 20-year-old Akpé Victory at centre-back – which explains the lack of defensive solidity. Up front, Jean Celar (two goals in three games) from Fortuna Düsseldorf and Asane Sow (2+2 in three matches) from Italian side Vercelli have already settled decently. Almost all key players are available, except three: goalkeeper Jonas Omlin is definitely out, while central midfielder Gabriel Sigua and wing-back Colin Louis are close to returning but have only one Basel appearance between them.
Barcelona ended last season top of La Liga and have already accomplished their main summer objective: stability on the bench. Hansi Flick continues to prepare the Blaugrana for the new campaign, meaning the recognisable, vibrant style – rapid attacks, an extremely high defensive line, and hyper-intensive pressing – remains unchanged. It is still too early to judge the team’s fitness from friendlies. Across four warm-up matches, Barça have only two wins: against Nottingham Forest (1–0) and in a closed-door game against Catalan side Europa (4–1), plus losses to Udinese (0–1) and Birmingham City (2–2, 2–3 after penalties).
Those line-ups were far from optimal. However, we have already seen one of the three major new arrivals, Karim Adeyemi (from Borussia Dortmund), in action. Other significant signings include Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and talented youngster Jesse Bisivu from Club Brugge’s youth side – both left-wingers, though neither has featured yet. The departure list is longer. Goalkeepers Marc-André ter Stegen and Iñaki Peña changed clubs, Robert Lewandowski (22+4 in 52 appearances in 2025/26) left, and Ronald Araújo (38 matches) moved to Liverpool. The defensive gap has been filled with La Masia graduates, while the central striker position remains unresolved.
Bad news also came from the treatment room: young right winger Runy Bargi tore his cruciate ligament, joining Frenkie de Jong on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Dani Olmo, Pau Cubarsí, Jules Koundé, Pedri, Eric García, Joan García, and Anthony Gordon have all returned from holiday. Gordon is expected to feature, as he will have been training for seven days by matchday. One notable absentee is Ferran Torres, who has been signed by PSG.
Basel (4-3-3): Salvi – Tsunemoto, Danyliuk, Victory, Sissá – Leroy, Omeragic, Thorell – Sow, Celar, Olaigbe Unavailable: Omlin (injured), Sigua and Louis (both doubtful) Head coach: Stefan Lichtsteiner
Barcelona (4-3-3): Szczęsny – Espart, Christensen, García, Baldé – Tuncara, Gavi, Fariñas – Adeyemi, Abdelkarim, Gordon Unavailable: Bargi, De Jong (both injured) Head coach: Hansi Flick
Main prediction: Barcelona to win This match gives Basel a chance to test themselves against a top-level opponent, but it looks like an exam they will fail. Lichtsteiner’s side are still chaotic – they can camp in the opposition half all game and score only once, then create chances worth 1 xG and put four past the net. Half of Basel’s likely starting XI are new arrivals, so cohesion is virtually absent, and a 20-year-old centre-back is a clear weak point. In their attempts to control possession and push forward, the Swiss side often make costly errors. Thun, for instance, scored twice from half-chances in the last round. Barcelona, by contrast, have a clear tactical identity, use offside traps effectively, and even with youngsters in defence concede on average no more than a goal per game this pre-season. In Switzerland, key attacking players – at least Gordon and Raphinha – may appear, increasing the threat. Given these factors, backing a Barcelona victory looks sensible.
Prediction on goals: Both teams to score – Yes Basel are averaging 1.6 goals per game in the early stages of the Swiss league. Barcelona are averaging 1.75 goals per friendly this summer. Both sides favour attacking football and focus on creative play up front, so it makes sense to bet that both teams will find the net.
The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Basel4-3-3
Barcelona4-3-3Basel against Barcelona in a club friendly — I'm backing over 1.5 goals in the first half. The odds at 1.83 make it a solid play.
Even though this is a friendly, I expect Basel and Barcelona to come out attacking. That means plenty of corner kicks — I’m taking over 7.5 at 1.52.
Basel to score at least one goal is my pick here. I'm confident they'll find the net against Barcelona in this Club Friendly.
Barcelona faces Basel in their final preseason tune-up, and there’s no way I’m looking past a straightforward win for the visitors. The Catalan side is simply in a different class, even in a friendly setting. Basel might be a solid club, but they don’t have the firepower or defensive structure to hang with a team of Barca’s caliber for 90 minutes.
The odds at 1.29 reflect that gap accurately, and I’m not overthinking this one. Barcelona will want to head into the season with momentum and a clean result. Expect them to control possession, create chances, and put this game to bed without any real drama. A straight away win is the play.
Barcelona’s lineup is nearly at full strength, and that’s why I see them cruising to a comfortable win here. Basel will probably get on the scoresheet at some point, but Flick’s side has more than enough firepower to put three or four past them. That makes the away handicap of -1.5 at 1.67 a solid play — I’m backing Barça to cover and win by at least two goals.
Barcelona rolls to a clean 0-3 win over Basel. Attacking football is expected on both sides, but I'm fully convinced Basel won't score — the Catalan side runs away with it. That's why the handicap of -1.5 on Barcelona at 1.72 looks like a straightforward call.
Barcelona's total in this friendly against Basel is priced at over 2.5, but I'm not buying it. I don't expect the Catalan side to treat this match with full intensity, so I'm backing them to stay under 2.5 goals at 2.00. That's a solid value play for a preseason game.
Barcelona's attacking firepower should be too much for Basel. The Swiss side won't just sit back and defend, which means they'll leave space for the visitors to exploit. I'm backing the Catalan giants to score at least three goals in this friendly.
Basel and Barcelona are set for a high-scoring friendly. I'm backing the total to go over 4 goals at 2.15, as this matchup has all the makings of a goal fest.
The hosts are set to line up in a compact defensive block, making it difficult for Barcelona to rack up a big score. That's why I'm backing Barcelona under 2.5 goals — given how the match is likely to develop, the 1.95 price is a solid value play.
Barcelona face Basel in a friendly, and I’m backing the visitors with a -1.5 handicap at 1.76. Even in a preseason match, Barca’s quality gap should show—they have the attacking firepower to win by two or more goals against a Swiss side that isn’t at their level. I expect them to take this seriously enough to cover the spread comfortably.
Barcelona as always piles on the goals — but they also ship one at the other end. Both teams to score is the obvious pick here.
Three goals in a friendly against a Swiss opponent—that's well within Barcelona’s attacking capability. Basel might be a decent side, but they simply can't match the quality up front that the Catalans bring. I’m backing the visitors to cover the over 2.5 team goals line.
This isn’t your standard preseason slog; Barcelona are likely to treat this like a proper run-out and put together some fluid moves in the final third. The odds of 1.84 offer solid value given the gap in class and the attacking firepower on display.
Barcelona faces Basel in their final preseason tune-up, and there’s no way I’m looking past a straightforward win for the visitors. The Catalan side is simply in a different class, even in a friendly setting. Basel might be a solid club, but they don’t have the firepower or defensive structure to hang with a team of Barca’s caliber for 90 minutes.
The odds at 1.29 reflect that gap accurately, and I’m not overthinking this one. Barcelona will want to head into the season with momentum and a clean result. Expect them to control possession, create chances, and put this game to bed without any real drama. A straight away win is the play.
Basel against Barcelona in a club friendly — I'm backing over 1.5 goals in the first half. The odds at 1.83 make it a solid play.
Even though this is a friendly, I expect Basel and Barcelona to come out attacking. That means plenty of corner kicks — I’m taking over 7.5 at 1.52.
Basel to score at least one goal is my pick here. I'm confident they'll find the net against Barcelona in this Club Friendly.
Barcelona's attacking firepower should be too much for Basel. The Swiss side won't just sit back and defend, which means they'll leave space for the visitors to exploit. I'm backing the Catalan giants to score at least three goals in this friendly.
Basel and Barcelona are set for a high-scoring friendly. I'm backing the total to go over 4 goals at 2.15, as this matchup has all the makings of a goal fest.
Three goals in a friendly against a Swiss opponent—that's well within Barcelona’s attacking capability. Basel might be a decent side, but they simply can't match the quality up front that the Catalans bring. I’m backing the visitors to cover the over 2.5 team goals line.
This isn’t your standard preseason slog; Barcelona are likely to treat this like a proper run-out and put together some fluid moves in the final third. The odds of 1.84 offer solid value given the gap in class and the attacking firepower on display.
Barcelona's total in this friendly against Basel is priced at over 2.5, but I'm not buying it. I don't expect the Catalan side to treat this match with full intensity, so I'm backing them to stay under 2.5 goals at 2.00. That's a solid value play for a preseason game.
The hosts are set to line up in a compact defensive block, making it difficult for Barcelona to rack up a big score. That's why I'm backing Barcelona under 2.5 goals — given how the match is likely to develop, the 1.95 price is a solid value play.
Barcelona’s lineup is nearly at full strength, and that’s why I see them cruising to a comfortable win here. Basel will probably get on the scoresheet at some point, but Flick’s side has more than enough firepower to put three or four past them. That makes the away handicap of -1.5 at 1.67 a solid play — I’m backing Barça to cover and win by at least two goals.
Barcelona rolls to a clean 0-3 win over Basel. Attacking football is expected on both sides, but I'm fully convinced Basel won't score — the Catalan side runs away with it. That's why the handicap of -1.5 on Barcelona at 1.72 looks like a straightforward call.
Barcelona face Basel in a friendly, and I’m backing the visitors with a -1.5 handicap at 1.76. Even in a preseason match, Barca’s quality gap should show—they have the attacking firepower to win by two or more goals against a Swiss side that isn’t at their level. I expect them to take this seriously enough to cover the spread comfortably.
Barcelona as always piles on the goals — but they also ship one at the other end. Both teams to score is the obvious pick here.
The match is scheduled for 16 August 2026 at 15:30 as part of the Club Friendlies, with Basel hosting Barcelona in Switzerland.
Barcelona are the clear favourites. The prediction backs a Barcelona victory, citing their tactical identity and Basel's lack of cohesion after a major squad overhaul.
The main prediction is Barcelona to win, with a secondary bet on both teams to score – Yes, as both sides favour attacking football and have shown goal-scoring form in recent games.
Basel have struggled recently, losing at home to Lausanne (0–1) and scoring only once from 2.20 xG against Servette. They conceded three goals in three domestic games and are still adapting to new signings.
Basel will be without goalkeeper Jonas Omlin due to injury, while Gabriel Sigua and Colin Louis are doubtful. Barcelona are missing Runy Bargi and Frenkie de Jong through injury, but Anthony Gordon is expected to feature after returning from holiday.
It is uncertain, but key players like Anthony Gordon and Raphinha may appear. Barcelona have rotated heavily in pre-season, with only two wins in four friendlies, so Hansi Flick might test a mix of starters and youngsters.