Malmo vs Chelsea
Europa League 2018-19 | Round of 32, first leg
Venue: Swedbank Stadion
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Kick-off: 8pm GMT
Maurizio Sarri is under huge pressure to deliver this week as Chelsea resume Europa League duties with a last-32 first-leg tie at Malmo.
Chelsea were thrashed 6-0 by champions Manchester City on Sunday to slip out of the Premier League top four, putting Sarri's future at Stamford Bridge under scrutiny.
Sarri's position is not thought to be in immediate danger ahead of their trip to Sweden, a defeat against Malmo would potentially make the Italian coach's position untenable - particularly if his players fail to respond to his demands to execute his 'Sarri-ball' tactics.
Chelsea team news and predicted line-up
Willy Caballero should return to goalkeeping duties for Chelsea, while the likes of Davide Zappacosta, Andreas Christensen and Emerson Palmieri will likely start in defence.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is almost certain to start in midfield, with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Willian and Olivier Giroud lining up for minutes.
Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Caballero; Zappacosta, Christensen, Rudiger, Emerson; Kovacic, Kante, Loftus-Cheek; Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Willian
Score prediction: Malmo 0-2 Chelsea
Given that Chelsea are priced (as of Monday) at 1/200 to qualify for the last-16, Malmo shouldn't give the Blues too many problems.
But Chelsea's away form makes for grim reading, with the Blues losing their last four games on the road to Tottenham (1-0), Arsenal (2-0), Bournemouth (4-0) and Man City (6-0) - that means the problem may be mental rather than tactical for Sarri's men in Sweden.
Malmo vs Chelsea tickets
Tickets for Chelsea fans are currently sold out.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds (90 minutes only)
- Malmo to win: 17/2
- Draw: 4/1
- Chelsea to win: 1/3
- Chelsea to qualify: 1/200
First goalscorer odds
- Olivier Giroud: 4/1
- Gonzalo Higuain: 10/3
- Eden Hazard: 7/2
- Willian: 7/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2.
BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
Head to Head history and results (h2h)
The teams have never previously faced each other in an official Uefa competition.
