Evening European football fans! Thanks for joining Sports Mole as the Europa League marathon nears its conclusion in Switzerland tonight. Basel and Chelsea are both 180 minutes away from a trip to Amsterdam for next month's final as they play for the first time at St Jakob-Park this evening!

Chelsea will play their 61st match of the season tonight and perhaps typify more than any other side what a slog progression in this competition can be. Trips to Bucharest, Prague and Moscow in previous rounds now look worth that price as the Blues close in on a major European final for the second successive season.

Rafael Benitez has shuffled his pack just enough to get Chelsea to the semi-final stage, despite just one win from their five away fixtures in Europe. A positive result in Switzerland tonight will make his side huge favourites to qualify for the final, where the winner will face either Benfica or Fenerbahce.

Basel will take some stopping over two legs and are the only domestic champions left in the competition. Murat Yakin's side showed their quality to eliminate Spurs in the last round, holding their nerve to win on penalties.

The Swiss side have showed flashes of brilliance on the counter this season, particularly at White Hart Lane in the last round to score three times. Basel are unbeaten in six matches at home, with their form at St Jakob-Park the cornerstone of a historic run to the final four.

Benitez will be acutely aware of the danger Basel pose tonight, with players such as Marco Streller and Valentin Stocker building a growing reputation thanks to their Europa League performances. Streller has four goals in the competition, while Stocker's all-action style has caught the attention of Europe's leading clubs.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! News of Chelsea's starting XI has arrived and represents a vote of confidence in experienced players for tonight's semi-final. Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry all start for the Blues tonight. A full look at both lineups will follow shortly.

CHELSEA: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Luiz, Lampard, Ramires, Hazard, Moses, Torres

BASEL: Sommer, P Degen, Schar, Dragovic, Park, F.Frei, Salah, Die, Elneny, Stocker, Streller

In total Benitez has made four changes from the side which drew in controversial circumstances at Liverpool on Sunday. Ashley Cole returns at left-back to replace Ryan Bertrand in a huge boost for the Blues, while Terry is recalled to partner Branislav Ivanovic in central defence.

Terry's return means that David Luiz is pushed forward into central midfield and will likely take up a holding position this evening. Lampard takes Oscar's place in the middle after his withdrawal at Anfield for a rare start in this competition.

Victor Moses is the other notable inclusion from Benitez, with the winger coming in for Juan Mata. The Nigerian will join Eden Hazard and Ramires to form a three-man support for Fernando Torres in a lone front role. Torres has kept his place despite a subdued display against Liverpool, but did score in both legs of the quarter-final win over Rubin Kazan.

Basel have been handed a double injury boost, with Philipp Degen and Aleksandar Dragovic both passed fit to play. The pair start in a settled side which sees Stocker provide support to Streller in attack.

The home side are without one player who featured in the triumph over Spurs in Alexander Frei. The veteran forward decided to retire three days after that win on penalties at the age of 33.

Although Basel top their domestic league they come into this match on an indifferent form. Yakin's side have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, with four draws in that time threatening to undermine their quest for a treble.

Yakin only took over as manager at St Jakob-Park last October but has enhanced his growing reputation with an impressive Europa League run. Dnipro and Zenit are among the big sides unable to deal with a vibrant home atmosphere, which makes tonight's match all the more intriguing.

The Swiss-Turkish coach has been keen to stress that his side believe in their ability to beat Chelsea over two legs, but need to be at their very best to do so.

He told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "We are very close to the final.

"I started this campaign at Videoton when we were last in the group. I have tried to present my vision to the team, one I hoped could lead the way to the final in Amsterdam, and now we are so close that we can reach it in two games.

"We have played some good matches at home, which we deserved to win," said Yakin, who replaced Heiko Vogel on 15 October. "They served as a good start for the return leg. Now we need two very good performances, or one very good one and one average, to make it to the final, we believe we can do it."

Benitez meanwhile has praised Basel for their unlikely run to the final four, but believes his team are more than capable of progressing to Amsterdam next month.

He told UEFA.com: "We have a tough game ahead," he said. "We have played good teams in the Europa League, but obviously Basel are in the semi-finals and deserve to be here. They have been working very hard and are playing well. But we are well organised, press well and are good on the counterattack."

While Chelsea have been managing a delicate balancing act on multiple fronts this season, just two aims now remain. The Europa League remains a major distraction from their fierce fight for a top-four finish, but Fernando Torres is adamant that his side want to win the competition to justify their efforts to date.

The much-maligned Spanish striker has scored four goals in the competition so far, taking advantage of the chance to shine with Demba Ba cup-tied.

He told reporters: "We won the Champions League last year and we want to win the Europa League this season. We have the team that can win it.

"I am getting better, the team is getting better. The season is almost over and we want to reach our targets."

A quick reminder that you can also follow tonight's other Europa League semi-final with Sports Mole. We will have score updates from Fenerbahce's first ever European semi-final against Benfica, with a full live text commentary also available here.

Back to St Jakob-Park and a look at both benches, with Chelsea's supporting cast packed full of quality. Mata, Oscar and Yossi Benayoun are all available if the Blues need a late away goal, but the absence of Ba means there is no immediate replacement for Torres.

CHELSEA SUBS: Turnbull, Cahill, Bertrand, Oscar, Mikel, Benayoun, Mata

BASEL SUBS: Vailati, Sauro, Steinhofer, Diaz, D Degen, Zoua, Cabral

The inclusion of Gary Cahill is also a massive boost for the Blues, with the centre-back returning to the squad for the first time since undergoing knee surgery. With games coming thick and fast the chance to rotate central defenders will come as a welcome relief for Benitez.

Chelsea are chasing a unique piece of history in their Europa League run. The Blues can become only the fourth side to win all three major European competitions with success this season, following the likes of Juventus, Ajax and Bayern Munich.

PREDICTION! With plenty of experience and attacking intent I fully expect Chelsea to score in Switzerland tonight. Basel are strong at home so look for a 1-1 draw, with Hazard to continue his fine recent from by getting on the scoresheet.

The two teams are out at St Jakob-Park, with Chelsea in a changed white strip. Basel's noisy home supported created a raucous atmosphere against Spurs two weeks ago and their welcome tonight suggests something similar. Pressure on both sides as they bid to build an advantage ahead of next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge!

The pre-match formalities are just about finished as the Swiss crowd build into a frenzy ahead of kickoff. Chelsea get the match underway in their ninth match in 26 days, shooting from left to right.

Stocker comes close to winning an early corner kick down the left, but his deflected cross comes back of a trailing foot after being blocked by Azpilicueta. Basel have settled quickly as they look to use pace to stretch the match on both flanks.

Another Stocker cross takes a nick of Ramires and Basel do have that first corner kick. El Nenney takes it short to Salah, who sends a curling cross over Petr Cech and clear of the crossbar to safety. A wasted opportunity there for the Egyptian duo to cause problems for an experienced Chelsea backline.

Good work from Hazard has Chelsea in the final third, but an important sliding tackle from Frei is timed to perfection and stops a promising break from the visitors. The Belgian has taken up a central position early on in support of Torres, with Moses and Ramires all easily interchangeable in that area.

Moses wins a corner kick after Dragovic decides to take no chances at his near post. A poor delivery gives Basel the chance to clear their lines, with Lampard unable to do any better on the follow-up. At the other end Salah is just unable to chase down a long diagonal ball as Terry shields out of play for a goal kick.

Basel enjoy a sustained spell of possession without troubling Chelsea, who look content to wait and hit on the counter. Streller eventually drops deep and looks for Park on the overlap, but his pass has too much power and allows the Blues to regroup.

A touch of fortune has Chelsea ahead with a priceless early away goal. Neat passing between Hazard, Ramires and Azpilicueta set up Lampard, who forced a strong save with a flicked effort at the near post. From the following corner Ivanovic and Moses were both unmarked from six yards, with the Nigerian getting the final touch to divert a spinning ball into the top corner. Advantage Chelsea!

The visitors look disciplined in their approach and have an early lead as a result. Basel's slack marking from that corner kick has been punished ruthlessly and now Yakin will need to lift his side to find a quick response.

SAVE! Basel win a free kick around 20 yards from goal in a central position. Central defender Schar elects to take and his powerful deflected drive needs to be tipped over the post by Cech. The home side are quickly back in attack after the corner is cleared as Stocker gets the wrong side of Ivanovic, but his penalty appeals are quickly turned away.

More positive play from Basel sees Salah recover a loose header from Cole to find El Nenny, but his drive from distance is wayward and finishes at least five yards over Cech's near post. Any chance of a Chelsea break soon after is broken up by Die's late challenge on Hazard near the halfway line.

Basel keep up the pressure and win a corner as Degen's cross is clipped wide by Cole. Stocker takes and whips a curling delivery into the near post, but Terry is on hand to clear with authority. Yakin's side have reacted positively to that early goal in the last 10 minutes.

Moses drives from deep to win a corner kick after an important interception from Cole left Degen exposed high up the field. Lampard takes and sends the ball into the six-yard box, but Sommer reads the danger to punch clear. Basel look nervous from set-piece situations, something the visitors have already exploited tonight.

Stocker manages to turn a short pass from Streller into a positive as he drives into the penalty area. From a tight angle the winger's attempted cross clips the post and falls behind, much to the relief of Cech who was anticipating a pass into the danger zone.

Basel's full-backs are playing high up the pitch but failing to take full advantage in wide areas. Chelsea advance on the counter through Moses after Park loses possession cheaply, but his pass towards Torres is misplaced.

Hazard has Chelsea breaking in numbers and picks out Torres in space just outside the penalty area. The Spaniard cuts inside and has options but chooses to shoot under pressure. His effort is eventually blocked by two Basel defenders and cleared for a corner kick. Benitez's side look dangerous every time they counter, particularly with the pace of Moses and Hazard.

Salah makes a clever run beyond Streller into a wide position in the penalty area, but his lofted cross aimed at Stocker is intercepted by Cech. Chelsea again get the ball forward quickly as Torres tests Sommer with a low strike from range. His effort lacks power and is easily saved at the keeper's near post.

SAVE! Ramires forces Sommer to work from close range after being picked out by an incisive pass from Lampard. The Brazilian just beats the offside trap to send a clever flick towards goal, but his effort is parried by a fine late stop. Luckily for Basel no visiting player has anticipated a rebound as Dragovic smashes clear under little pressure.

Basel probs in the opposition half but have been unable to find a killer pass in the final third so far. Schar is the latest to run forward but loses possession after a heavy touch. Terry intercepts and is caught on the follow-through by the central defender, with the referee neglecting to hand a caution for the offence.

Chelsea maintain their organised appraoch as Ivanovic and Terry clear successive crosses into the penalty area. The visitors are happy to let Basel have possession to a certain point and look to break quickly in numbers.

CHANCE! Ramires shows intelligence to track a forward burst from Stocker and provide cover to clear just outside the penalty area. He leads a Chelsea break after a slick exchange with Torres, who goes for a spectacular overhead kick and miscues. The ball flies towards Hazard, who rushes a strike that drifts wide.

Just before the break a purposeful run from Moses picks out Hazard unmarked inside the penalty area. The Belgian is quickly under pressure from a covering defender and sends a poor strike well wide from close range. You expect better from the talented playmaker and that has to go down as a chance missed for the Blues.

A diligent, measured approach from Chelsea sees them take a narrow advantage into the break. Moses has the visitors ahead with an instinctive header, with Basel frustrated despite having the majority of possession in the first period.

Benitez has picked an experienced core tonight and their nous has been evident throughout. Luiz has excelled in a combative midfield role, while Terry and Ivanovic looked comfortable defending from deep throughout the first 45 minutes.

Basel's gameplan has been fairly one-dimensional from the outset, use pace in wide areas to cause problems in the final third. Ramires and Moses have been live to that threat and provided effective support to their full-backs, allowing Chelsea to control any danger with relative ease so far tonight.

In truth Hazard should have put Chelsea further ahead just before the break, but Benitez will be content with a one-goal advantage at the interval. Hazard has been a constant menace this evening in a central role, driving forward with pace and purpose.

Yakin must know that his side need to score in the second half to give themselves a fighting chance of progression. Streller has looked far too isolated in attack, their main aim must be to provide the physical striker with effective support after the break.

SCORE UPDATE! A quick word on tonight's other semi-final clash between Fenerbahce and Benfica, which is goalless after 45 minutes. The home side have spurned a glorious chance to lead the tie after Cristian Baroni turned his penalty kick onto the post.

Basel get us back underway at St. Jakob-Park and almost immediately concede possession after trying a long diagonal into a wide position. Ramires then quickly fouls Park to stop any chance of a Chelsea counter at the other end.

OFF THE POST! Stocker has just gone agonisingly close to bringing the match level. The winger cut inside and sold two defenders a dummy before sending a measured low effort off the near post. Cech was rooted to the spot and that has to go down as a huge chance missed for the home side.

Schar has just been very fortunate to get away with clipping Hazard as he raced clear towards the final third. The defender was caught out but after making minimal contact the referee decides the Belgian was not fouled.

OFF THE POST! Basel look ready to fight after a buoyant start to the second half. Their positive spell is halted as Die brings down Luiz in midfield with a needless lunge. Chelsea use the chance to build an attack down the flank through Hazard, who beats two defenders before picking out Torres in the penalty area. The Spaniard has time to pick his spot but sends a powerful effort crashing back off the post!

Torres was extremely unlucky with that effort, which was struck with conviction but bounced out off the woodwork. Basel attack at the other but Stocker's heavy pass fails to find the forward run of Salah out wide.

Streller is just unable to control a forward pass from Schar, who had strode forward with purpose from defence. His heavy touch allows Terry to recover and slide in to clear for a corner kick. From the resulting cross Cech fails to claim but Streller is unable to profit as he is caught by surprise at the far post.

Hazard gives the ball away cheaply and allows Basel to break forward in numbers. Stocker and Salah combine out wide and work a cross deep into the penalty area, which is headed clear after a towering leap from Luiz.

SUBSTITUTION: Yakin decides to make a change in central midfield as Die is replaced by Chilean international Marcelo Diaz. Die looked erratic in central midfield and perhaps the Basel boss is looking for a more composed passer to dictate play from that area.

Basel's bright start to the second half has just gone flat in the last few minutes, with Streller still restricted to chasing long balls into the channels. Chelsea continue to look relatively comfortable to sit on their narrow lead and find Hazard and Moses on the counter.

SUBSTITUTION: Yakin decides the time is right to make a bold attacking change, with El Nenny swapped for 21-year-old Cameroon striker Zoua. He will take up an advanced position closer to Streller as the home side chase a vital equaliser.

Chelsea are a touch fortunate to escape with their lead intact as Degen's deep cross arrives at the far post. Streller, Stocker and Salah are all unable to bring the ball under control and eventually the visitors scramble clear to safety. Frei then unleashes a thumping strike from range that fades beyond the far post with a late swerve.

YELLOW CARD! Cole has just picked up a needless booking for wasting time as he takes a throw, which will rule him out of next week's second leg through suspension. Benitez is furious on the touchline, which perhaps dispels any doubts over a tactical caution in the mould of Ramos and Xabi Alonso.

YELLOW CARD! Less than a minute later Dragovic is booked for a late lunge with studs showing on Torres. A ridiculous challenge from the Basel defender, which means he will also be ineligible for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea make their first change to introduce fresh legs in the final third. Hazard looks a little tired and is replaced by Mata, who nearly sets up Ramires instantly with an immaculate first touch. The Brazilian had drifted just offside, ruining a fine break from the Blues which picked out Torres unmarked in the penalty area.

Diaz curls an effort well wide from 20 yards as Basel continue to search for an equaliser. Zoua looks quick but raw in attack, with his introduction leaving space for Chelsea to exploit in midfield. Lampard nearly takes advantage with a low shot that is quickly charged down with a timely block from Dias at the other end.

Salah makes a clever run inside Cole to the penalty area, but Zoua's pass just lacks power and falls behind the winger. Basel again stride forward as Dragovic picks out Salah, who has the goal at his mercy but is let down by a heavy first touch. Chelsea just need to keep things tight in the closing stages to maintain their narrow advantage.

SUBSTITUTIONS: That missed chance proved to be Salah's last contribution as Yakin decides to introduce David Degen with his final change. Benitez also chooses to freshen things up in midfield as Oscar comes on in place of Lampard.

SCORE UPDATE! News of a big goal in tonight's other semi-final, with Fenerbahce taking the lead against Benfica through Korkmaz. As things stand they will take a one-goal lead to Lisbon for next week's second leg.

SUBSTITUTION: Within two minutes of coming on Degen is penalised for a late tackle and is cautioned, conceding a free kick just outside the penalty area. Chelsea use the set piece to pick out Ivanovic at the far post, but he can only flick a low effort wide at full stretch. That was a major let-off for the home side, who once again failed to organise their defence properly to clear the cross.

YELLOW CARD! Luiz is a touch fortunate to only receive a booking after lunging in with studs showing on Philipp Degen. A very late tackle had studs connecting with shin, but after a few anxious moments the full-back gets up and appears to be alright to continue.

PENALTY TO BASEL! Azpilicueta has been penalised after a tussle with Stocker and late on Basel have a spot kick. What a chance for the home side to draw level in the closing stages.

Scher steps up confidently and smashes his penalty down the middle and past a sprawling Cech to equalise for Basel. Almost instantly at the other end Chelsea break as Torres forces Sommer to save at full stretch, with Oscar smashing wide from close range on the rebound. What an end to this first-leg, which stands at 1-1 in stoppage time!

Mata curls a free kick across the keeper and beyond the near post, drawing frustration from Benitez as a strike from 20 yards sails wise. Basel use the chance to break clear as Streller controls Zoua's cross with his chest, but Streller is just unable to meet the cutback as he bursts into the penalty area.

OFF THE LINE! Terry has just seen a header from close range scrambled off the line as Basel hang on in stoppage time. A corner for the visitors had been turned towards goal by Moses, with Terry diverting at the far post to seemingly score a late winner. Basel had two defenders well placed on the line and somehow managed to scramble clear. What drama in this final few minutes, the way these two sides are playing you would think the tie had to be decided tonight!

With literally the last kick of the night Luiz has given Chelsea a vital lead to take back to Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian hit a low free kick with power just outside the penalty area, which Sommer seemingly had covered at his near post. The keeper got two hands to the strike but it was not enough as a low effort squeezed into the bottom corner. What a moment in the context of the tie, which Chelsea lead 2-1 after an enthralling finish to the first leg.

Basel were more than a match for the Blues in the second half but a late lapse in concentration has left Yakin's side with it all to do next week. Chelsea have never lost a European semi-final at the Bridge, a run the plucky Swiss side must end to reach their first final on the continent.

That just about does it Sports Mole's coverage of a big win for the Blues in Switzerland. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in for analysis in around 30 minutes time. Goodnight!