St Gallen begin their 2023-24 Swiss Super League campaign when they welcome Basel to the Kybunpark on Saturday.
The home side were pipped to a continental spot by FCB last season, thus motivating Espen in their league opener this weekend.
Match preview
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A two-point deficit after the 2022-23 campaign saw St Gallen miss out on European qualification, with Basel ending the year in fifth place.
The upshot of Espen's sixth-place finish means they must accept a third consecutive season without continental qualification, even though they have not made the group stage of any European competition since the 2013-14 campaign.
Peter Zeidler's team have looked sharp in pre-season, despite a two-game winless run in their tune-up games for the new term.
The standout performance and result was the 6-1 thrashing of LaLiga side Villarreal on July 15, taking their goals scored in the off-season to 14 in five games.
Whether that is replicated against Basel remains to be seen, but Espen's intent cannot be faulted.
Conversely, Basel have not been free-flowing in the lead-up to the new season, evidenced by two losses and as many victories.
Timo Schultz replaced Heiko Vogel after the culmination of the latter's interim spell, seeing Vogel return to his position as sporting director at the club.
Despite losing twice in their preparatory games, FCB have been competitive, which puts them in good stead before playing St Gallen.
The 3-1 loss at Benfica was the low point of pre-season, but Schultz's team bounced back with a 3-0 triumph over Old Boys on Tuesday, albeit with the caveat of the opponent being an amateur side.
After a disappointing year last time out, Basel hope to start this one positively as they chase a 21st domestic title and a first since 2016-17.
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Team News
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Stefano Guidotti missed the final two months of the previous campaign and is back in the group, even if only a role on the bench is likely.
Summer acquisition Betim Fazliji should start in central midfield for his competitive debut for the hosts, with Richard van der Venne and Abdoulaye Diaby also in contention for a start following free transfers from Melbourne City and Ujpest, respectively.
St Gallen could start Italy Under-20 World Cup right-back Mattia Zanotti, who is on loan from Serie A side Inter Milan.
Taulant Xhaka is still suspended due to a sending-off from last season, and the 32-year-old will miss the opening weeks of the new season.
Basel are also without Andy Diouf and Zeki Amdouni, recently sold to Lens and Burnley, respectively, after FCB activated their option to buy both loanees.
Summer arrivals Jonathan Dubasin, Finn van Breemen and Thierno Barry could all start on Saturday to make their competitive debuts for the club.
St Gallen possible starting lineup:
Ati-Zigi; Zanotti, Vallci, Diaby, Schmidt; Gortler, Fazliji, Quintilla, Witzig; Moos, Geubbels
Basel possible starting lineup:
Hitz; Lopez, Van Breemen, Comas, Calafiori; Burger, Frei, Ndoye; Augustin, Dubasin, Barry
We say: St Gallen 2-2 Basel
The last seven games between these sides have produced goals, with St Gallen's 6-1 annihilation of Basel in May still fresh in the memory.
Another goal-laden encounter is expected, although FCB could avoid defeat at the Kybunpark this time.
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