Basel vs. Manchester United: Champions League Team News, Predicted Lineups

Manchester United travel to Basel on Wednesday night, needing a draw to reach the knockout stage of the 2011-12 Champions League.

United currently lie second in Group C, a point behind leaders Benfica. Basel are third, but a win against United on Matchday 6 would see the Swiss side through at the expense of the Premier League champions.

United drew 3-3 against Basel at Old Trafford, so there's every reason to believe they'll be seriously tested in a hostile atmosphere. If Sir Alex Ferguson's team lose, it will be the first time since the 2005-06 Champions League United have fallen at the group stage.

United team news

United will be without Javier Hernandez, who suffered an ankle ligament injury in their 1-0 win against Aston Villa on Saturday. With Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov both sidelined, Ferguson may call on Danny Welbeck against Basel. Alternatively, Wayne Rooney could be used as a lone striker.

In midfield United remain without Tom Cleverley and Anderson, and Michael Carrick is suspended, so I would expect Darren Fletcher and Phil Jones to start centrally. Nani, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Ashley Young and Park Ji-Sung will all be vying for the other starting spots.

Defensively, twins Fabio and Rafael could both be missing, so we should expect Patrice Evra and Chris Smalling to occupy the full-back positions. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are almost certain to be the central pairing.

Predicted lineup: Lindegaard, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Fletcher, Jones, Giggs, Nani, Young, Rooney

Basel team news

Midfielder Gilles Yapi and defender Kay Voser will both miss the game through injury. Taulant Xhaka is also doubtful, after missing the last two games with a groin injury.

Better news for Basel was the return of midfielder Valentin Stocker in their last league match.The Swiss international seems unlikely to be thrown into the starting lineup after eight months out, however.

They also have Philipp Degen at their disposal, the former Liverpool player having joined the club on a short-term contract.

Possible lineup: Colomba, Steinhöfer, Abraham, Dragović, Park, Shaqiri, Cabral, G Xhaka, F Frei, A Frei, Streller

Prediction

I see United playing Rooney and Young as their two forwards, with both helping out to pack the midfield and keep things tight. Basel will find it hard to break United down, and their defensive record at home suggests they'll be vulnerable on the break.

I don't think it will be a stroll, but I see United coming through 2-0.