Chelsea vs Basel is one of the most intriguing fixtures on Matchday 1 of the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League. Watch the game live on Wednesday, September 18, 2013.

Chelsea beat Basel 3-1 the last time they hosted them at Stamford Bridge.Preview: Basel have form, Chelsea have experience

Last season, Chelsea endured a disastrous UEFA Champions League campaign. They became the first ever titleholders to crash out of the competition in the group stage. This misery led to the dismissal of fan favourite Roberto Di Matteo and when interim manager Rafael Benitez arrived, it proved too late to rescue the Blues from drowning on Europe’s biggest club football stage. 

A year later, Chelsea find themselves under the wings of the adored Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese icon, however, must live up to the hype he has been receiving since his sensational return to Stamford Bridge earlier this summer. 

 

The UEFA Europa League winners, who were embarrassed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid in the 2013 International Champions Cup and by Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup, must improve with new squad additions like Samuel Eto’o among others. In the English Premier League, Chelsea have not had the start they were hoping for. 

Last weekend’s defeat to David Moyes’ former team Everton silenced confident Blues supporters. This Wednesday, Basel are expected to take on the hosts with the intention of winning. The Swiss-based club has been enjoying a great ride. Their record stands at three consecutive wins, and five wins in their last six game since a 2-1 defeat to FC Zurich a month ago. 

In terms of form, Basel have the upper hand. However, Chelsea are very much experienced in the UEFA Champions League. Both teams met last season in the semi-finals of the Europa League and the Blues prevailed thanks to the brilliance of David Luiz in particular. The Brazilian stole the show with a last-minute winner from a free-kick in Switzerland and inspired his side to a 3-1 win in the return leg. 

Chelsea eventually booked their place in the final of the tournament with a 5-2 aggregate win. The public may witness more of the same drama on Wednesday night as revenge is on Basel’s mind.

Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores

Watch Chelsea vs Basel live on Wednesday, 18 September, 2013:

In Canada at 14:45 ET on: Sportsnet World Online, Sportsnet World

Internationally at 18:45 GMT on: UEFA Match Centre (live stream)

In Switzerland at 20:45 CET on: RTS Deux, RSI La 2, RTS Sport, TeleClub Sport 3, SRF zwei, TeleClub Sport Live

In UK at 19:45 BST on: Sky Sports Events Centre, Sky Sports 1/HD, Sky Sports 1 Ireland, Sky Go

In USA at 14:45 ET on: Fox Soccer Plus (delay, at 19:30 ET), SiriusXM FC, Fox Sports 2, Fox Soccer 2Go

For full live listings and live scores, please visit the Chelsea-Basel match page.