Winterthur vs Basel Predictions

• Basel have only lost four competitive games since November 2021 – two against Swiss champions Zurich and two against Marseille.
• Winterthur boss Alexander Frei left for Basel after leading the hosts to promotion last term.
• The visitors only lost two of their 18 away league games last season, picking up 30 points.

Baptism of fire for Super League new boys

Winterthur’s first season in the top tier of Swiss football begins with a crunch clash with title favourites Basel, playing their first game under the leadership of club legend Alexander Frei – after he led Winterthur to their Challenge League title success last term. While Basel finished a distant second to Zurich last season, there’s every reason to think they could be more successful this campaign.

Basel have only lost four competitive matches since November 2021 – two reverses against Swiss champions Zurich and two against Ligue 1 giants Marseille. Indeed, Basel posted the fewest Super League losses last season (four) and conceded the fewest goals (41), but a tally of 17 draws saw them fall short of challenging Zurich. The off-season additions of Jean-Kevin Augustin, Anton Kade and Dan Ndoye should aid their title bid, replacing the goals they lost with Arthur Cabral’s sale in January.

Winterthur edged an incredible second-tier title race last season, winning the league courtesy of goal difference after three teams finished level on 65 points. With Frei’s departure, former Leicester City player Bruno Berner will earn his first top-level managerial experience, but the hosts look set for a difficult start, particularly given Basel only lost two of their 18 away league games last season.

Basel look set for strong start

Basel will certainly be more competitive in their pursuit of a first title since a run of seven consecutive successes was halted in 2017-18 this time around, and backing them at a value price against newly-promoted hosts appears a no-brainer.

With the visitors boasting the best defence in the league last term, and new boss Frei having done similar at Winterthur last term, a comfortable 2-0 away win looks a solid correct score prediction.

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