Fresh from extending their lead atop the Premier League, Chelsea can place one foot in the Champions League knockout stages with a win against Malmo on Tuesday night.
The Blues have won two games in Group H either side of defeat against Juventus on Matchday 2. A win in Sweden could put them within a point of the Round of 16.
But Thomas Tuchel will be forced to shuffle his pack in midweek with a number of key players injured, including Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner who are each set to miss their fourth game since picking up knocks in the reverse fixture against Malmo.
Christian Pulisic is still out having played just once for Chelsea all season, and Mateo Kovacic has recently joined the injury list with a hamstring complaint.
Edouard Mendy should start in goal, with Trevoh Chalobah perhaps given another opportunity in the back three in this breakout season of his.
Antonio Rudiger and Andres Christensen could complete the central trio at the back, with Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso both hoping to come in on the right and left flanks respectively.
With Kovacic injured and Kante only having just come back from injury, there could be more changes in midfield with Atletico Madrid loanee Saul Niguez likely to come in to play alongside Jorginho.
Mason Mount missed the weekend’s win at Newcastle with an illness and may not be rushed back into the line-up, meaning Ross Barkley could see himself start after a string of substitute appearances of late.
The former Everton man has been in and out of form for a number of years but seems to have worked his way into Tuchel’s thinking.
Hakim Ziyech could join the Scouser in support of Kai Havertz, who will have to start a fourth game in 10 days due to the absence of another fit centre forward.
The Blues have taken big steps on all fronts in recent weeks, opening up a three point lead in the league and advancing to the League Cup quarter-finals, and Tuchel will hope to see that continue in Europe this week.
Chelsea starting XI versus Malmo
