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UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea will look to extend their winning run when they meet Swedish side Malmo on Tuesday night. The Blues came out all guns blazing on matchday three against the same opposition at Stamford Bridge, outplaying the Swedish outfit on every front.
Following two underwhelming performances against Zenit and Juventus, Chelsea needed to please their fans. The Malmo game presented the Blues with the perfect opportunity to flex their muscles and show why they have a shot at defending their European crown.
Buoyed by Jorginho’s penalty brace and a goal each from Andreas Christensen and Kai Havertz, Chelsea picked up a comfortable 4-0 win in eest London. Malmo, who are without a win in their UEFA Champions League group, will look for a better result at home. The odds are stacked against them but that does not necessarily mean it will be a drab contest.
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Here are our top five predictions for Chelsea’s trip to Malmo in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
#5 Chelsea to step off the accelerator in the second half
A fortnight back, Chelsea recorded an emphatic 4-0 win over Malmo. Since then, they have registered wins over Norwich City, Southampton and Newcastle United across the Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Saturday’s 3-0 win at Newcastle showed how prolific Chelsea can be on the road and they will back themselves for a similar outcome at Malmo.
Considering how close the contest is in the Premier League, Chelsea could look to conserve energy against Malmo and secure a win as soon as possible. We expect the Blues to give Malmo everything they have in the first half and taper off in the second.
Chelsea’s defenders have more than enough to hold on to a lead against a struggling Malmo side.
#4 Malmo’s leaky defence to aid Chelsea attackers
Malmo had to beat the likes of Riga, HJK Helsinki, Rangers and Ludogorets to book themselves a place in the UEFA Champions League group stage. However, since reaching the group stage, Malmo have been a shadow of their former selves.
They have conceded 11 times in the first three games without replying even once, which is disappointing for a team playing in the UEFA Champions League.
Chelsea have a bucket load of injuries to worry about but Malmo just do not have enough to keep them contained. Don't be surprised if Malmo offer loads of space with little to no reinforcement at the back.
Also Read: Malmo vs Chelsea prediction, preview, team news and more | UEFA Champions League 2021-22
#3 Mason Mount to make Chelsea tick
Chelsea and England midfielder Mason Mount has been one of the most sought-after names in the UEFA Champions League this season. The impact he tends to have is not always tangible, but his authority on the pitch is easily felt.
Mount can not only pull strings from the middle of the park, but he can also score when needed. He has impressive stamina, tireless feet, and is always eager to show his worth.
If he maintains his good form against Malmo in the UEFA Champions League, we are confident of seeing him at the heart of every impressive Chelsea attack.
Mount was not on the pitch in Saturday's 3-0 win over Newcastle United, having missed the game due to illness. He has recovered from it, though, and should feature from the start of the UEFA Champions League tie at Malmo.
Mount has featured in 12 games for Chelsea so far this season, registering three goals and two assists.
#2 Thomas Tuchel to field a much-changed XI
Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea are enjoying a fine run at the moment, picking up four successive wins across all competitions. However, the UEFA Champions League holders' recent run of form hardly tells the complete story.
Chelsea have an ever-growing injury list to deal with, and the onus is on Tuchel to field the strongest possible XI in every match.
As an opponent, Malmo don't pose much of a threat to UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea. However, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic ruled out, Tuchel will have to dig deep to get a suitable result.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is also out of the match with a hamstring problem, meaning the Chelsea midfield could do with some creativity.
Expect Cesar Azpilicueta to return to the fold and feature alongside Marcos Alonso and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Kai Havertz is likely to continue leading the charge for the champions.
#1 Another win on the cards for Chelsea
The 4-0 win in the reverse fixture of the UEFA Champions League highlighted Malmo’s lack of discipline as well as Chelsea’s tenacity to punish their opponents.
At home, Malmo will look put last round’s horrors behind them and concentrate on putting up a show for their fans. Against a depleted Chelsea squad, they might even find some joy from time to time.
Even an injury-stricken Chelsea have enough quality to see many top teams through, and Malmo’s home advantage alone is unlikely to make a difference. With the Premier League leaders looking to conserve their resources, the scoreline could be closer, but it is likely to be a straightforward win for the visitors nonetheless.
We predict a 2-0 win for Tuchel’s side in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
