Smart money on Basel

Big dream
The 2004/05 campaign starts this Saturday with Christian Gross's side looking to defend their crown as well as challenging in Europe after the disappointment of their UEFA Cup third-round defeat by Newcastle United FC last term.

Sour note
That early exit, and defeat in the last 16 of the Swiss Cup by arch-rivals Grasshopper-Club, threatened to cast a shadow over a stunning season for Basel, who finished 13 points above league runners-up BSC Young Boys after losing just three of 36 games.

Redoubled determination
If anything, those setbacks have only increased the club's determination to return to the form that almost took them to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2002/03. "As far as quality and number of players is concerned, this is the best squad I have had at Basel," admitted Gross.

'Perfect football'
As well as signing goalkeeper Thomas Mandl from SK Sturm Graz as cover for No1 Pascal Zuberbühler, Gross has secured the services of Hannover 96 defender Corea Kleber, Lille OSC midfield player Mile Sterjovski and Grasshoppers striker Mladen Petric. "Our aim is to play perfect football," said Gross ominously.

Young Boys challenge
Surprise runners-up last time around, Young Boys may well have the best chance of stopping Basel. Yet as they prepare for a Champions League qualifying tie against FK Crvena Zvezda, they will hope their new Brazilian striker Francisco Neri can support veteran Stéphane Chapuisat and make up for the loss of both Gaetano Giallanza and Leandro Fonseca, to FC Aarau and Hannover respectively.

Servette busy
Servette FC have been busiest in the transfer market, with 16 arrivals and 15 departures heralding new president Marc Roger's ambitions for the club. Davide Calla, Viorel Moldovan and Stéphane Ziani seem to be the best additions, although coach Marco Schällibaum may struggle to stitch his new side together.

Zurich rivals
Meanwhile, in Zurich, Grasshoppers and FC Zürich will resume a local rivalry that was enhanced by the events of 2003/04. Grasshoppers had a miserable campaign, finishing seventh in the table while Zürich raised eyebrows by ending the season strongly and taking fourth place.

Grasshoppers movers
With goalkeeper Fabrice Borer, defender Fernando Gamboa, midfielders Mihai Tararache and Feliciano Magro, and strikers Petric and Ionel Gane all having left Grasshoppers, the squad is looking thin. New signings Tariq Chihab, André Muff, Gerardo Seoane and Rogerio have much to do.

FCZ factor
With the exception of Tararache and Argentinian defender Diego Raul Capria, Zürich have not made any major changes. They will start the season with high hopes, but will be wary of avoiding the scrap between FC St. Gallen, Aarau, FC Thun, Neuchâtel Xamax FC and newly-promoted FC Schaffhausen to avoid relegation.