Malmo vs Chelsea: Preview, match facts, broadcast listings

Malmo vs Chelsea: Preview, match facts, broadcast listings - February 14

Topics: TV Schedules, Malmo, Chelsea, UEFA Europa League

After their humiliating loss to Manchester City, can Chelsea get back on track as they take on minnows Malmo in the Europa League?

Current form: Malmo vs Chelsea

Chelsea come into this game in rather disappointing form, to say the least. The Blues have slipped out of the top four spots and recently suffered an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend that certainly has Maurizio Sarri quite concerned about his future on the tactician's bench. Although the Blues rebounded from their 4-0 humiliation at the hands of Bournemouth by beating Huddersfield 5-0, the 6-0 defeat now means they have lost back to back away games in the Premier League, while conceding a whopping ten goals in the process.

Under Sarri's tenure, Chelsea have suffered their worst defeats in the Premier League in decades. The 4-0 away loss to Bournemouth was their worst since September 1996 - until they did even worse and were battered 6-0 by Manchester City last weekend, which now is their worst result in nearly 30 years.

Nonetheless, in the Europa League, Chelsea have had little problems so far and will want to get back to winning ways quickly here. However, their hosts, Malmo, will be keen on making things as difficult as possible. The Swedish side, who have not played a competitive fixture since beating Besiktas in December, have not lost a game across all competitions since September. And given that Chelsea have won any of their last four away games across all competitions - plus conceded ten in their last two away defeats - Malmo really will be fancying their chances at trying to edge the first leg, especially as they are playing in front of their own fans.

How they got here: Malmo vs Chelsea

Malmo secured their spot in the round of 32 thanks to a second-placed finish behind Belgian side Genk, and will be hoping to cause a major upset against an out-of-sorts Chelsea in front of their own fans in Sweden.

Chelsea, meanwhile, largely cruised through their group stage campaign without much fuss, but will be under pressure to get a positive result here against one of the weaker sides still remaining in the competition.

Team news: Malmo vs Chelsea

Malmo: Guillermo Molins, Oscar Lewicki, and Franz Brorsson (doubtful)

Chelsea: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (injured); Gary Cahill (doubtful); Marcos Alonso (rested)

Match Facts and Stats: Malmo vs Chelsea

Malmo are unbeaten in their last eight home games in European competition, including qualifiers
However, they have only won two of those (D6)
Nonetheless, they are just two shy away from their record of ten sans defeat that they earned between 1975 and 1979
Malmo have lost four of their five games against English opposition across all comps
Meanwhile, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Swedish sides (W1 D3)...
...but their last two away fixtures in Sweden ended without a goal
This is the first competitive meeting between Malmo and Chelsea