UEFA Champions League: Manchester United v FC Basel Odds and Betting preview

MANCHESTER, UK - Premier League champions Manchester United host Swiss side FC Basel for their European clash on Tuesday. United have been on spectacular form in the Premier League this season, but are looking for their first win in the Champions League, having drawn with Benfica in their opening fixture.

United are firm favourites to win the match, and are available at 1/5 (bet £5 to make £1 profit) with William Hill. Any punter anticipating an upset can back Basel to win at 20/1 with Stan James, whilst the draw is on offer at 13/2 with bet365 and Victor Chandler.

Manchester United won their first five Premier League games of the season, netting an astonishing 21 goals. On Saturday, however, Ferguson's side dropped their first points of the campaign, drawing 1-1 away against Stoke. United will be keen to return to winning form against Basel, but they must do so without the assistance of star striker Wayne Rooney, who has been sidelined for two weeks due to an ankle injury.

Basel will have great difficulty when they face the attacking potency of United, even with Wayne Rooney watching from the stands. Gisela Oeri's side are currently only fourth in the Swiss Super League, but go into the fixture on the back of some decent form, having gained 11 points from their last five league games. Oeri has an intriguing history against Manchester United, having played for Bayern Munich in their famous 1999 Champions League final against the red devils. He will be hoping, no doubt, to exact some revenge for the result of that game at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

In the over/under betting the top price on over 2.5 goals being scored is 4/9 with Boylesports, whilst under 2.5 goals is available at 7/4 with Ladbrokes. For those punters expecting Manchester United to rout Basel, over 5.5 goals can be backed at 11/2 with bet365.

In the absence of Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez is favoured by most bookmakers to score first on Tuesday night, and can be backed to do so at 7/2 with Ladbrokes and William Hill. Hernandez, however, is also an injury doubt, having suffered a dead leg against Stoke on the weekend. Dimitar Berbatov has yet to score for United this season, but is deemed likely to break the deadlock at 5/1 with William Hill, whilst Portuguese winger Nani is available at 6/1 with bet365. Basel's most dangerous man in front of goal this season has been Alexander Frei, who has scored six times in the league already. Frei can be backed to score first at 14/1 with Blue Square.

Manchester United are quoted at best odds of 4/7 with Coral to win the match after leading at half time, whilst draw/United is available at 4/1 with Betinternet. Draw/Basel is deemed a very unlikely result, and can be backed at 33/1 with Victor Chandler, whilst the chances of Basel winning after trailing at half time are much exceptionally long at 125/1 with Paddy Power.

Manchester United are currently deemed third favourites to win the Champions League this season, behind Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, and can be backed at 7/1 with Skybet.

Kick off is at 19.45 BST

Manchester United v Basel Betting