Get back on track in Europe.
Chelsea welcome Swedish League leaders Malmo to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night for a Champions League group stage game. Malmo sit top of the league in Sweden having played 23 games winning 13 drawing 5 and losing 5. In the Champions League Malmo sit bottom of the group having lost their first two games. A 0-3 loss to Juventus and a 4-0 loss to Zenit. Since the Zenit game they had played 3 games winning all three of those games. It paints a picture of a team struggling to get to grips with a tough group.
Chelsea go into this game having lost the last Champions League game in Turin to Juventus 1-0. Chelsea sit 2nd in the group on goal difference. Since the last game we have beaten Southampton and Brentford and are performing well defensively but have been no where near as good offensively. Prior to the game Tuchel was asked about Chelsea’s form and he said it is a mix of having played too many games, chemistry, and maybe the play style. Tuchel did say that he might change formations in the future to increase the attacking output but I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon. When asked about Lukaku he said that it seems like he’s just tired mentally at the moment and needs to find that energy and joy again. A similar thing was said about Chilwell and Werner earlier in the season. A few of our players seem to be tired at the moment and the endless run of games does not help. These Malmo games come at a time when Chelsea face some relatively easy fixtures so it’s a good opportunity to rest some players and rotate others who might need game time and form.
Chelsea Team Preview
Kepa should start in goal with Mendy rested for this game. I expect a back three of Chalobah, Silva, and Sarr along with Reece James, and Alonso playing as the wing backs. Saul, and Jorginho should make up the midfield with Mount, Hudson-Odoi, and Havertz starting up front. It is a heavily rotated team but some of these players need game time and the others need a rest. I wouldn’t be surprised if Barkley started in place of one of the forward players either. There will be plenty of quality players on the bench if they are needed to come on.
Malmo Team Preview
Malmo tend to play with a back 5 or wing back system in the tougher games. Colak is there main threat up front while creative players like Christiansen, and Innocent also provide threat from the midfield and wide areas. Birmancevic plays as support striker of sorts to Colak and also gets in on the goals as well. Defensively they do struggle having conceded 7 goals in the Champions League so far. Malmo will most likely try to play on the counter in this game and allow Chelsea to have the ball.
Starting XI Prediction
I think Tuchel will rotate the Chelsea team for this game but like I have seen from the defence I would like to see a 100 percent from whoever plays. The next two games in the Champions League are Malmo home and away and that should be 6 points. COME ON CHELSEA!!!
Park The Bus 