'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea will continue their title defense with a group game against Malmo on Wednesday evening at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are second in Group H with three points from two matches played. They have won one game and lost one, with the bitter loss coming against Juventus in the last European matchday.
Chelsea are coming off a gritty 1-0 win against Brentford and will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins when they take on the Swedish outfit at home.
Malmo, meanwhile, secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Ostersund in the league at the weekend. They are bottom of their UEFA Champions League group with two losses and will want to leave Stamford Bridge with at least a point.
Chelsea vs Malmo Head-to-Head
Chelsea and Malmo have only played two games against each other so far, both of which were won by Chelsea. In the last meeting between the two sides, the Blues inflicted a 3-0 loss upon Malmo.
Chelsea form (all competitions): W-L-L-W-W
Malmo form (all competitions): W-L-L-W-W
Chelsea vs Malmo Team News
Chelsea
Antonio Rudiger is set to miss out with a back problem, but Thomas Tuchel's side will be boosted by Brazilian veteran Thiago Silva's return. Christian Pulisic remains on the sidelines with an ankle problem, while Hakim Ziyech is a doubt due to illness.
Injured: Antonio Rudiger, Christian Pulisic
Doubtful: Hakim Ziyech
Suspended: None
Malmo
Anel Ahmedhodzic won't feature against Chelsea as he is serving a suspension. The trio of Oscar Lewicki, Jonas Knudsen and Ola Toivonen are suffering from knee injuries, while Felix Beijmo has been sidelined with a collarbone issue.
Injured: Oscar Lewicki, Jonas Knudsen, Felix Beijmo, Ola Toivonen
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Anel Ahmedhodzic
Chelsea vs Malmo Predicted XI
Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-3): Edouard Mendy; Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen; Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, N'Golo Kante, Jorginho; Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku
Malmo Predicted XI (3-5-2): Johan Dahlin; Moisander, Lasse Nielsen, Martin Olsson; Jo Inge Berget, Anders Christiansen, Sebastian Nanasi, Erdal Rakip, Bonke Innocent; Viljeko Birmacevic, Antonio Colak
Chelsea vs Malmo Prediction
Despite their recent offensive struggles, Chelsea possess enough firepower to take care of business against a poor Malmo side. The Swedes are unlikely to progress from the group and it could be a long night for them against a well-drilled Chelsea outfit.
We predict that Chelsea will beat Malmo comfortably.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Malmo
