UCL Preview: Malmo FF vs Chelsea, Key Stats, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction

Thomas Tuchel-Kante-Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel-Kante-Chelsea | Photo Credit: IMAGO

Chelsea will travel to Sweden this Tuesday to face Malmo FF in the fourth group match of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League season. 

Venue: Eleda Stadion (Malmo)

Key Statistics

Malmo have conceded 11 goals in the Champions League this season-no side has conceded more goals. 

They are yet to score a goal in the UCL group stage this season. 

No side has faced more than the 60 shots Malmo have faced in the UCL this season. 

Chelsea have scored five goals in the UCL this season.

They have won their last six away games. 

Head to head

Chelsea have a 100% record in this fixture winning in all three meetings between both sides.

Latest Performances in all competitions

Malmo: W-W-D-L-W

Chelsea: W-W-W-W-W

Malmo FF

Despite doing well in the Allsvenskan, Malmo have struggled in this year’s Champions League and are sitting rock bottom in Group H after three rounds of matches.

The Swedish club have found it difficult to score in this competition and are one of three teams that are yet to score in this year’s UCL group stage. They also have the most porous defence in the UCL so far having conceded 11 times in three games. 

Their chances of qualifying from this group is quickly disappearing with each game and they will be desperate to win here and at least give themselves a chance of qualifying for the Europa League. 

They come into this game on the back of a 3-2 win over Sirius in their domestic league. The result was their second consecutive win and will give them a measure of confidence going into this tie.

Meanwhile, Jon Dahl Tomasson will be without Ola Toivonen, Jonas Knudsen and Patriot Sejdiu. There are doubts over the availability of right-back Felix Beijmo. 

Possible Malmo starting line-ups

Johan Dahlin, Eric Larsson, Niklas Moisander, Franz Brorsson, Jo Inge Berget, Bonke Innocent, Sergio Pena, Anders Christiansen, Soren Rieks, Antonio Colak, Malik Abubakari

Chelsea

Chelsea defeated Newcastle 3-0 on Saturday to maintain their grip of top spot in the Premier League.

The Blues have been one of the most formidable sides in Europe this season and have begun their UCL title defence well. Their only blemish this season is a loss to Juventus in the UCL and Manchester City in the Premier League.

Otherwise, they have a solid record this season having won 13 of their opening 16 games (D1, L2). They also head into this tie on a six-game winning run.

Thomas Tuchel‘s side have also been formidable at the back in recent times having kept four clean sheets in their last five games.

Another shut out beckons for them as they travel to Sweden to face a Malmo side who are struggling in the UCL this season. 

Meanwhile, Tuchel will remain without strikers Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner who are still nursing injuries while Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic is also out. There are doubts over the availability of winger Christian Pulisic and midfielder Mason Mount.

Possible Chelsea starting line-ups

Eduoard Mendy, Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz

Prediction

Chelsea will be desperate to get a win here to solidify their chances of progressing from this group. Malmo also will be looking to put a good performance and at least win a point from the game.

But judging by the quality of players at their disposal, Chelsea should easily win this game.