Playoff Hopes on the Line as Salzburg Host Basel in Europa League Showdown

UEFA Europa League  -  Red Bull Salzburg VS Basel
Match Time:23-01-2026 04:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
-----------------------------
Basel heads to Austria to face Red Bull Salzburg in a crucial penultimate Europa League league-phase match. The Swiss side sit just one point outside the top 24 and remain firmly in contention for qualification. Salzburg, meanwhile, are under pressure and likely need a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Team Analysis:
Red Bull Salzburg return to Europa League action needing a win to revive their slim playoff hopes after a difficult league-phase campaign. Despite domestic success and leading the Austrian Bundesliga, their European form has been poor, leaving them four points off the qualification places with two games left. Basel arrive with their own ambitions, sitting just one point outside the top 24 and hoping to finally end their away struggles to boost their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Player Situation:
Red Bull Salzburg will be without several key players, including long-term absentees Takumu Kawamura and John Mellberg, while top scorer Petar Ratkov is suspended, placing extra responsibility on Yorbe Vertessen and Edmond Baidoo in attack. Despite these setbacks, Salzburg can still rely on a settled midfield pairing and youthful options to maintain balance. Basel also face injury concerns but carries a strong attacking threat through Xherdan Shaqiri, whose influence will be central alongside emerging support from their forward and midfield units.

Result Prediction:
Both teams head into the clash in Austria needing a win to keep their hopes of a top-24 finish alive. With several key players unavailable on each side, the contest is expected to be evenly balanced and closely fought. A draw appears likely, a result that could seriously damage Salzburg’s chances of reaching the playoff stage.

Predicted Result: Red Bull Salzburg 1-1 Basel.