Chelsea travel to Sweden to take on Allsvenskan giants Malmo in the Europa League last 32 on Thursday.
The Blues head to Scandinavia off the back of a 6-0 capitulation at the hands of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
Maurizio Sarri is under increasing scrutiny but a win will go a long way to alleviating the current pressure on his shoulders.
Malmo, who are managed by former Citizen Uwe Rosler, will be looking to pull off a giantkilling when they play host to the west London club.
Read on for Malmo vs Chelsea team news, predictions, stats and TV channel info.
When is Malmo vs Chelsea?
Competition: Europa League
Venue: Swedbank Stadion
Date: Thursday, 14 February
Kick-off: 8:00 PM GMT
Match preview
The pressure has significantly ramped up on Sarri after some far from convincing performances away from home, with Chelsea currently on a run of four successive defeats on the road.
Tensions are certainly running high in west London after Sarri criticised his player’s motivation levels, while also calling into question Roman Abramovich’s communication skills.
Despite this, Sarri’s immediate future looks safe, though discernible question marks about his long-term tenure remain; defeat against Malmo will certainly cast further doubt on his managerial credentials.
The Blues have so far enjoyed great success in Europe this campaign, winning five and drawing once as they topped Group L, while also scoring 12 and conceding just twice, albeit against BATE, MOL Vidi and PAOK.
Malmo have lost four of their previous five encounters against English opposition but suffered just one defeat in the group stages, so will take great confidence from their early season form.
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Where can I watch live?
UK residents can watch Malmo vs Chelsea live on BT Sport 2, channel 414 for Sky TV customers and channel 528 for Virgin Media users. BT Sport subscribers can also watch the game online at sport.bt.com and via their BT Sport app.
Will Sarri call on the academy?
The Europa League has offered the chance for Chelsea’s fringe players to stake a claim in the starting XI and make a name for themselves; the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have flourished in the competition this term.
However, with the stakes – and pressure – higher than ever, can Sarri afford to give playing time to youngsters?
With a blockbuster clash against Manchester United in the FA Cup to come on Monday, the Italian may want to rest some key players, opening the door for those on periphery.
Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek have impressed in the group stages, scoring four and assisting once collectively, so a starting position for either player would not be unjustified.
Will Rosler utilise Championship experience?
Malmo manager Rosler enjoyed a five-year managerial spell in the Championship and League One between 2011 and 2016, taking the helm at Brentford, Leeds, Wigan and Fleetwood. He also plied his trade for Man City, Southampton and West Brom during his playing days.
He knows the English game well, particularly the Championship, a division renowned for its hard-hitting and robust style of play, which is why so many Premier League clubs encourage their youngsters to go out on loan and experience the physical nature of the league.
The German was also no stranger to pulling off an upset during his time in England, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup with Wigan in 2013, while also drawing 2-2 with Chelsea during his time in charge of Brentford in the same competition, though the Bees did lose the subsequent replay.
Can Chelsea emulate early season form?
Sarri started the season like a house on fire, with Chelsea’s autumnal form nothing short of exceptional, going unbeaten in the Europa League group stages, while also holding their own at the summit of the Premier League.
That form has since plummeted drastically, but the Blues will be looking to pick up where they left off in December and continue their scintillating form on the continental stage.
Chelsea haven’t tasted success in this competition since 2013, and so Sarri will be keen to follow in the footsteps of that famous Rafa Benitez side.
With the club also languishing outside the top four, victory in the Europa League may be their only chance of reaching the Champions League next season.
Head-to-head
These two clubs have never previously locked horns in an official UEFA competition.
Malmo wins: 0 Draws: 0 Chelsea wins: 0
Team news
Willy Caballero may very well come in and take the place of Kepa Arrizabalaga as he has did regularly in the group stages.
Elsewhere, Sarri may be tempted to tinker with his defence with one eye on the Man Utd clash on Monday; this could mean starts for Davide Zappacosta, Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri.
Further forward, Loftus-Cheek is expected to start in midfield, having made five appearances in the Europa League this season, while Hudson-Odoi could also make the starting XI.
The teenage starlet failed to make the bench against Man City on the weekend, but could be afforded a starting berth in Sweden, while Willian – who was an unused sub in Manchester – could also get some minutes under his belt.
Olivier Giroud, who also remained on the bench at the Etihad, will likely start up front, while Gary Cahill will be assessed after returning from a back injury.
Malmo recruited Adi Nalic, Dusan Melicharek, and Anel Ahmedhodzic over the winter break and all three could make their debuts against Chelsea.
Malmo predicted XI: Melicharek; Rieks, Safari, Bengtsson, Nielsen, Vindheim; Traustason, Bachirou, Lewicki; Antonsson, Rosenberg.
Chelsea predicted XI: Caballero; Zappacosta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson; Loftus-Cheek, Kante, Kovacic; Willian, Giroud, Pedro.
Squawka prediction
Chelsea appear in dire straits at present, but they still possess an embarrassment of attacking riches and should have no problem bringing an aggregate lead back to Stamford Bridge.
Malmo have shown their mettle in the competition this season and with a manager in Rosler, who has vast experience of the English game, they could cause one or two problems for the Blues.
That said, Sarri has a point to prove and can simply not afford to lose another away match.
Malmo 1-3 Chelsea
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