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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Malmo vs Chelsea line-ups: Predicted XIs for Thursday's Europa League clash

Chelsea will be without Marcos Alonso and Ruben Loftus-Cheek when they look to respond to the 6-0 thrashing at Manchester City whe facing Malmo in the Europa League.

The Blues are back in Europe's second-tier competition as they travel to Sweden for the first leg of their last-32 tie.

Alonso, who has been manager Maurizio Sarri's first choice, has been omitted - the Italian boss says he has been rested - with Emerson Palmieri likely to start.

Loftus-Cheek has suffered a recurrence of his persistent back problem but could be fit to face Manchester United in Monday's FA Cup fifth-round clash. Matteo Kovacic could come in.

Elsewhere, Callum Hudson-Odoi could find himself back on the bench now the transfer window has closed as Sarri opts for a more experienced front three.

Malmo vs Chelsea predicted XIs

Malmo (3–5–2): Dahlin; Nielsen, Bengtsson, Safari; Vindheim, Christiansen, Bachirou, Lewicki, Rieks; Rosenberg, Antonsson

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson; Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic; Willian, Higuain, Hazard.

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