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The 2020-21 UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea are set to host Malmo at Stamford Bridge in their third Group H encounter on Wednesday night. Thomas Tuchel’s defending champions were beaten by the narrowest of margins at Juventus on matchday two and the Blues will look to bounce back.
Visitors Malmo, who were outclassed by both Juventus and Zenit in the UEFA Champions League this season, will hope for a miracle at Stamford Bridge. Truth be told, this lop-sided encounter does not have much for the neutrals, but we do have a few prognostications for the Blues fans.
So, without further ado, let us check out the top five predictions for Malmo’s trip to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.
#5 Malmo to take a conservative approach at Stamford Bridge
Swedish side Malmo have fought tooth and nail to get to the UEFA Champions League group stages this season. They beat Riga, HJK, Rangers and lastly Ludogorets to break into the final 32, but they have lost their way since.
Malmo are yet to score in the UEFA Champions League this season and have conceded seven goals. The defeat to Juventus was understandable, but Malmo had to be disappointed by the 4-0 thrashing Zenit inflicted upon them on matchday two.
Truth be told, Malmo are in no shape to take the fight to European champions Chelsea. However, that does not mean the Blues are guaranteed to get away with a comfortable win. Malmo will be desperate to do something worthwhile in west London and restricting Chelsea to a draw will definitely turn heads across Europe.
Don't be surprised if Malmo prefers a super-defensive approach against the Blues. That could be their only way out of this lop-sided encounter.
#4 Thomas Tuchel to instruct his Chelsea side to press aggressively
Despite having some of the sharpest forwards in the business, Thomas Tuchel refrained from taking the game to Juventus on the second matchday. A single Federico Chiesa goal was enough for the Bianconeri to bag their second UEFA Champions League win this season.
Hosting Malmo should be a lot more straightforward than playing Juventus away from home. Tuchel is likely to take this opportunity and restore the confidence of his attackers by pressing higher and giving them plenty of chances to convert.
Mason Mount’s effortless pressing skills could come in handy against a shaky Malmo side, allowing Chelsea to dominate the top half of the pitch.
Expect a more committed, aggressive performance from the Blues, who would do anything to get into the UEFA Champions League knockouts unscathed.
#3 Saul, Jorginho and Havertz will get a chance to redeem themselves
UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea have an abundance of quality at their disposal. They have an exuberant attack, a poised midfield and a settled backline - forming one of the most impressive teams in Europe. Yet, over the last few weeks, they have looked a little disjointed and out of shape.
Three players in particular have been performing well below their sky-high standards. Saul Niguez, Jorginho and Kai Havertz have all been reduced to off-the-bench appearances, which is not a reflection of the quality they possess.
Saul is yet to prove his mettle at Chelsea and could come in for N’Golo Kante on Wednesday. Jorginho has also struggled to impose his expertise in the middle of the park and needs to gain his confidence back. And finally, last year’s UEFA Champions League final hero, Kai Havertz, also deserves another chance to get back in Tuchel’s good books.
All three could play in some capacity in the UEFA Champions League tie against Malmo and we are excited to see how they respond.
#2 Romelu Lukaku to get out of his mini slump against Malmo
Chelsea paid a club-record fee of £97.5 million to bring their former sharpshooter Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window. The Belgian scored three goals in his first three Premier League matches and was Chelsea’s only goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League win over Zenit.
Unfortunately, his magic in front of goal has vanished since UEFA Champions League matchday one, with the forward drawing blanks in the next six matches in all competitions.
Surprisingly, Lukaku was on the scoresheet for Belgium in the UEFA Nations League semi-final against France, which should induce some confidence in Chelsea fans.
Malmo’s lackluster form should have Lukaku licking his lips and we fully expect him to capitalize on the opportunity this Wednesday.
#1 Chelsea to put at least three goals past Malmo
Chelsea’s defeat to Juventus was unfortunate, as the Blues were completely undone by their suicidal, conservative tactics. Against Malmo, Thomas Tuchel’s side will be desperate to make a statement and score as many goals as they possibly can.
The inclusion of Kai Havertz and Mason Mount should help Romelu Lukaku fire more frequently, and we fear the result could be devastating. Malmo could make things interesting in the first half but they are unlikely to hold the fort for long. We expect Chelsea to score at least thrice and put a spring in their fans’ step on Wednesday night.
