90min

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Malmo - Champions League

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

Chelsea eased to victory in the return fixture
Chelsea eased to victory in the return fixture / Catherine Ivill/GettyImages
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Chelsea will be confident of keeping their good run of form going when they travel to Sweden to take on Champions League Group H whipping boys Malmo.

The Blues have netted ten goals in their last two Premier League games and squeezed past Southampton in the Carabao Cup since they defeated Tuesday's opponents on Matchday 3, but Thomas Tuchel does have several absences to deal with this time around.

This is the starting XI the German is most likely to call upon...

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Trevoh Chalobah
Chalobah is in contention for another start / Robin Jones/GettyImages

Edouard Mendy (GK) - One of the leading contenders for this year's Yashin Trophy, Mendy's rise to superstardom is a truly remarkable story.

Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) - After some time on the sidelines, Azpilicueta is ready to come back into defence. If selected, he will make his 65th Champions League appearance.

Andreas Christensen (CB) - Christensen has come on leaps and bounds since Tuchel's arrival and with his contract talks stalling, he will be eager to prove his worth.

Trevoh Chalobah (CB) - Chalobah's emergence as a first-teamer this season has been as joyous as it was unexpected. Thiago Silva played on Saturday, so he should get the nod here.

2. Wing-backs & midfielders

Reece James
James is in fine form / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Reece James (RWB) - James cannot stop scoring at the moment with the England international managing four goals already this season, as well as three assists.

Jorginho (CM) - Jorginho is in the conversation for the 2021 Ballon d'Or after a magnificent year. He is at the centre of everything good his side does.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM) - Considered dead weight at the beginning of the season, Loftus-Cheek has found a new lease of life in more recent times. It is incredible to think that he could keep a player of Saul Niguez's ability out of the side.

Marcos Alonso (LWB) - Ben Chilwell has established himself as first choice over the past few games but Alonso still has plenty to offer and should start.

3. Forwards

Kai Havertz
Havertz should continue up front / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages

Callum Hudson-Odoi (RW) - With Mason Mount ill and Christian Pulisic only just back from injury, Hudson-Odoi should start in a nominal right-wing role.

Kai Havertz (ST) - Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner are both sidelined so Tuchel will have no choice but to persist with Havertz as his centre forward.

Hakim Ziyech (LW) - After a lightning pre-season Ziyech has struggled to impress. Competition for places is fierce in this Chelsea side so he needs to start proving his worth.

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