Both Chelsea and Ajax will reach historic milestones when they face off at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in the Champions League league phase. For Chelsea, it marks their 200th game in the competition’s history, while Ajax will celebrate their 250th appearance in European competition.
However, the two teams come into this clash from very different directions. The Blues are flying high and chasing a fourth straight win across all competitions, while Ajax are still searching for their first points of the campaign.
Chelsea’s confidence is sky-high after a strong run of form. Enzo Maresca’s side have turned things around since a shaky September, and their recent 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League on September 30 proved their growing resilience. Ironically, the Blues didn’t even need to score themselves that night — an own goal from Benfica’s Richard Rios did the job — and despite a late red card to Joao Pedro, Chelsea held firm to seal the win.
That result sparked a wave of momentum for Maresca’s men. They have since recorded Premier League victories against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, with the 3-0 triumph at the City Ground resulting in the dismissal of Forest boss Ange Postecoglou. Any earlier doubts about Maresca’s leadership have now faded, replaced by growing belief that he’s steering the club in the right direction.
Chelsea’s home record in Europe further underlines their confidence heading into this tie. They are unbeaten in their last 15 Champions League group-stage home matches and have lost just twice in their last 60 European games at Stamford Bridge — an impressive fortress by any standard.
For Ajax, the story couldn’t be more different. Johnny Heitinga’s team have endured a nightmare start to their Champions League campaign, losing both of their opening matches without scoring a goal. A 2-0 home defeat to Inter Milan was followed by a crushing 4-0 loss at Marseille, leaving them second from bottom in the 36-team league phase — only debutants Kairat have fared worse.
This is Ajax’s first time since the 2012-13 season that they’ve failed to collect a point from their first two Champions League games, adding more pressure on Heitinga’s shoulders. The former Liverpool assistant also oversaw a disappointing 2-0 loss to AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie last weekend, which left Ajax nine points behind the league leaders and with only one win in their last six matches.
Defensively, the Dutch giants have been all over the place, conceding at least two goals in each of their last six games in all competitions. That’s hardly the ideal preparation for a visit to Stamford Bridge, the same venue where they produced an unforgettable 4-4 draw against Chelsea back in 2019.
As Heitinga fights to save his job and Ajax battle to rediscover their identity, Chelsea will look to continue their resurgence and keep their Champions League dream firmly on track.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
For the fourth time in six games, Chelsea ended their victory over Nottingham Forest with only 10 men on the pitch after Malo Gusto’s late red card. Fortunately for the Blues, the French full-back will serve his suspension in the Premier League match against Sunderland this weekend, meaning he’ll still be available for the Champions League clash with Ajax.
However, Enzo Maresca will have to cope without Joao Pedro, who is suspended after his sending-off against Benfica. The Blues are also dealing with several injury and fitness concerns. Cole Palmer (groin), Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping suspension), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Benoît Badiashile (muscle), and Liam Delap (hamstring) all remain sidelined, while Enzo Fernández will face a late fitness test on his knee.
There is some good news for Chelsea fans, though. Moisés Caicedo returned to action over the weekend, playing 45 minutes, and could now replace Romeo Lavia in midfield. Meanwhile, former Ajax defender Jorrel Hato might have to settle for a place on the bench against his former team.
As for the visitors, Ajax have their own selection problems. Left-back Owen Wijndal, who was forced off with a muscle injury in the loss to Marseille, has traveled with the squad to London and could feature. Even so, Ajax remain without key attackers Kasper Dolberg and Steven Berghuis, as well as influential midfielder Branco van den Boomen, who continues to struggle with a back issue.
With Dolberg unavailable, Wout Weghorst, the former Manchester United striker is expected to lead the line for the Dutch side.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Fofana, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; George
Ajax possible starting lineup:
Jaros; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Rosa; Klaassen, Taylor; Edvardsen, Gloukh, Godts; Weghorst
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Chelsea 2-0 Ajax
