No qualms in Malmö for confident Chelsea
Swedish club Malmö will host Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea at the Eleda Stadium, looking to salvage some pride from what has been a disastrous Champions League group stage campaign, even when taking into consideration their relatively low expectations. Their best shot at remaining in European competition would be to nick a draw on Tuesday evening against the English giants, and hope that they can use that as a springboard to overcome Zenit St. Petersburg for third. Read our preview here:
Proven Innocent
Their record this term currently stands at zero goals scored and 11 conceded, and with little sign that that abhorrent record is going to improve tomorrow. Head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, who led Di blåe to the Allsvenskan last year, must instead make his side compact enough in defence to limit the Blues to half-chances and hope to nick something on the break. 25 year old Bonke Innocent is the hosts' lynchpin in midfield, and he will have an almighty task on his hands to stem the attacking thrusts from the visitors, and convert some of them into opportunities for his more advanced teammates to pounce. PAOK loanee Antonio Čolak will be partnered by Veljko Birmančević up top, though the latter will likely come short to look for the ball.
Striker deal
Thomas Tuchel remains without striking options Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, though their absences haven't prevented his charges from racking up the goals whilst sharing them around, much in the same vein as last season. Kai Havertz looks set to lead the line nominally, but will dovetail with Hakim Ziyech whilst Callum Hudson-Odoi provides support from slightly wider. USMNT star Christian Pulisic hasn't played for club or country since the start of September, but might be named amongst the substitutes as he continues the final phase of his return to first team action. The lineup will be heavily rotated in other areas, with two-goal right-wing back Reece James set to be rewarded for his brace at the weekend away to Newcastle United with a night off. César Azpilicueta will stand in for him.
Nip and Tuch
Malmö are unlikely to just roll over, but despite leading their league by a point with only four matches remaining, they've been unable to convert that to challenging for third place in a tough Champions League group. bet365 have odds of 3.20 for over 2.5 goals without reply.
