Schalke 04 vs Basel live streaming: Where to watch on Dec 11, 2013

December 11, 2013 By Samrin Hasib

Topics: Schalke 04, Basel, UEFA Champions League, Live Stream, TV Schedules, Live Scores

Schalke and Basel take on each other in one of the highlights of Match-day Six in the UEFA Champions League at the Veltins Arena.

Preview: Champions of Switzerland could spoil Schalke's must-win mission

Schalke has been in a poor run of form. A draw or loss to Basel will see them exit from the UEFA Champions League and could see the end of Jens Keller’s reign as Schalke manager The Blues exited the DFB Pokal last week when they lost to Hoffenheim, 1-3. They proceeded to lose to Borussia Mönchengladbach at the weekend in what can be referred to as a battle for fourth place in the Bundesliga, 2-1.

Undoubtedly, Schalke has enough quality to progress to the next round despite injuries to star forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dennis Aogo and Marco Höger. Also, Jermaine Jones is suspended. This can be thought of a positive due to Jones’ sudden absences of composure or as a negative as Jones is a tenacious player. They will depend on the skills of Julian Draxler, Max Meyer and Kevin-Prince Boateng to see them through.

Draxler was the one who scored in the preceding fixture in Switzerland in a 0-1 victory. In their past three meetings against Basel, Schalke has won twice and drawn once. The Swiss side, which famously beat Bayern 1-0 in the 2011-12 season after knocking Manchester United out in the group stages, beat Chelsea twice in this season’s competition. Schalke, meanwhile, produced two horrendous displays against the English side, at least as far as the defense is concerned.

Basel’s results in their previous two matches were only marginally better; they drew 1-1 against Grasshoppers Zurich and 2-2 against BSC Young Boys. They will fancy their chances coming into this one as a draw will see them progress further in the competition. They do not need to win to qualify as they are a point ahead of Schalke in their group. The Swiss team does not have any injury worries coming into this one.

Schalke’s fans have grown increasingly impatient owing to their lackluster showings. Meanwhile, the board is beginning to lose patience with Keller. Can Schalke overcome the powers of Switzerland in the form of Basel? Or will Basel progress to the knockout rounds for the second time in three seasons?