Red Bull Salzburg vs Basel prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 22 January 2026
One of the seventh-round fixtures of the Europa League's main stage will take place on Thursday at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, where the local Red Bull side hosts Swiss outfit Basel. Both teams are currently outside the playoff spots and are desperate for a win to keep their hopes of advancing to the next round alive. I'm backing goals in this encounter.
Match preview
The Austrian club has endured a disappointing European campaign: in six matches, they've managed just one victory - at home against Go Ahead Eagles. Since then, they've suffered three straight defeats, including two late in 2025 at the hands of Bologna (1-4) and Freiburg (0-1). While their European form has slumped, things are steadier in the Bundesliga, where the club finished the year at the top of the table.
Thomas Letsch's men go into the Basel game as the chasers, sitting four points adrift of the playoff zone. The main problem is the absence of Petar Ratkov, the team's top scorer, who is suspended after a red card in the previous round. Vertessen will need to take the initiative up front, with support likely coming from Baidoo or veteran Onisiwo.
The Swiss side started their European season in promising fashion, winning two of their first four matches, but have since lost to Genk and Aston Villa. All three of their away games in the main stage have ended in defeat - conceding six goals and scoring only twice. In the Swiss league, Basel sit fourth and recently resumed their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sion.
The team's main hope is captain Xherdan Shaqiri, who already has 11 goals and 12 assists this season. However, the injury list is serious: several key players, including Otele and Tsunemoto, are sidelined. Youngsters like Bakanin will have to anchor the midfield, while Ajeti is likely to lead the line.
Probable lineups
- Red Bull Salzburg: Schlager, Lainer, Gadu, Rasmussen, Terzic, Bidstrup, Diabate, Baidoo, Alaybegovic, Onisiwo, Vertessen
- Basel: Hitz, Rüegg, Daniliuc, Ajetey, Schmid, Bakanin, Leroy, Soticek, Shaqiri, Traoré, Ajeti
Match facts and head-to-head
- Red Bull have lost five of their six Europa League games this season.
- All of Basel's away matches in the group stage have ended in defeat.
- This is the first-ever meeting between the clubs in European competition.
Prediction
Both teams have absences in their squads and only slim playoff hopes left, so this match promises to be cautious and tense. Salzburg have the home advantage, but Ratkov's absence makes a win more complicated. Basel could capitalize on the hosts' poor form, but they themselves are unstable on the road.
