Chelsea are going to a trip to Sweden as they will face Malmo FF in the round of 32. The Blues are currently at the sixth position in the League Table of the Premier League. Manchester United and Arsenal went ahead of them in the League Table after their heavy defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League. After this match, the Blues will face Manchester United in the FA Cup and they will be playing against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final on next Sunday.
Team News :
Chelsea will be desperate to make a comeback in this match after a huge we. defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League. The defeat will certainly hit their confidence level a bit. The Blues should have an easy match against their Swedish opponent. However, their defeat against Manchester City can change the whole equation. The defeat might not be the issue; but the mentality of the players are going to be a key factor in this match for the Blues.
Chelsea have named a strong squad of 20 players for this match against Malmo FF. Ruben Loftus Cheek and Marcos Alonso did not travel with the first team of the Blues to feature in the match against Malmo FF.
These two players have not been included in the squad of the Blues for different reasons. Marcos Alonso has been excluded for his performance against Manchester City. Though, Maurizio Sarri told in the pre match conference that Marcos Alonso has been given rest in this match.
On the other hand, Ruben Loftus Cheek is out of contention for this match with a back problem. The back problem is haunting Ruben Loftus Cheek now for a while. Kepa Arrizabalaga might hold his place in the starting lineup of the Blues as the Spanish Goalkeeper need to build up his confidence level just ahead of the two big games coming on his way. Davide Zappacosta might be included in the first team of the Blues in place of Cesar Azpilicueta. Emerson Palmieri will be playing in place of Marcos Alonso.
David Luiz might get a rest in this match and Andreas Christensen will be playing in place of him. Antonio Rudiger will be partnering him in the central defense of the Blues. Jorginho might well be rested for this match and Ethan Ampadu can play in that role for the Blues. Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley are the two attacking midfielders. Callum Hudson Odoi should start this match for the Blues as a left wing forward and in the right wing Willian will take his place. Pedro and Eden Hazard are likely to be in the bench for Chelsea in this match. Olivier Giroud will start as a centre forward for the Blues in this Europa League match.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Malmo FF: (3-5-2)
Goalkeeper : Dahlin
Defenders : Nielsen, Bengtsson, Safari.
Midfielders : Vindheim, Christiansen, Bachirou, Lewicki, Rieks.
Attackers : Rosenborg, Antonsson
Chelsea : (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Caballero
Defenders : Zappacosta, Cahill, Christensen, Emerson.
Midfielders : Kovacic, Ampadu, Barkley.
Attackers : Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Willian.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Malmo FF 0-4 Chelsea
