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Having experienced mixed fortunes in Europe so far this term, Enzo Maresca’s men will be desperate to secure maximum points in their third Champions League outing.
The Blues were humbled in Bavaria by a rampant Bayern Munich outfit on matchday one, before bouncing back to beat Benfica as José Mourinho made an emotional return to Stamford Bridge. A similar inconsistency has also undermined progress during the initial stages of their Premier League campaign, but it appears Chelsea may have just turned a corner ahead of the international break.
Ajax have similarly struggled to build momentum on the domestic front, but have been miles off the pace in each of their opening two continental contests. A 2-0 loss to last season’s runners-up Inter Milan was followed by a thumping defeat in Marseille, leaving the Amsterdam side languishing near the foot of the 36-club Champions League table.
Wednesday’s clash will be screened live on TNT Sports, the UK’s main broadcaster of the UEFA Champions League. Coverage commences on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate at 19:00 (BST), a full hour ahead of kick-off. The match is also available to stream on the discovery+ app, provided the user has a relevant subscription.
Chelsea v Ajax: Key information
Date: Wednesday, October 22nd
Kick-off time: 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
Referee: Felix Zwayer
TV Channels/Live stream: TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate
Odds: Chelsea: 1/4, Draw: 11/2, Ajax: 8/1
Odds provided by bet365
Chelsea v Ajax team news
Both managers are plagued by an extensive injury list, as an intense early-season schedule begins to take its toll.
Enzo Maresca is set to adopt his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, while Ajax boss Johnny Heitinga – who racked up 129 Premier League appearances throughout a lengthy playing career – must decide whether to go for man-for-man or revert to the 4-3-3 system he’s utilised on several occasions this term.
Chelsea team news
A high number of absentees is perhaps to be expected given the colossal nature of Chelsea’s squad, but a concerning trend is undoubtedly beginning to emerge. No fewer than six first-team stars are facing an extended spell on the sidelines, while several others are currently nursing lighter injuries.
Having undergone successful surgery on his right anterior cruciate ligament at the end of the summer, Levi Colwill is now gradually returning to full fitness. Liam Delap sustained a hamstring strain during August’s West London derby and will remain out until at least next month, while Cole Palmer continues to struggle with a persistent groin issue.
There’s still no firm update on Dário Essugo’s condition, as the Portuguese Under-21 international aims to recover from an issue he picked up during the first international break. It’s more bad luck for Benoît Badiashile, who is set to miss a further chunk of action after a fragmented start to the new season. The imposing Frenchman has suffered another muscle problem, keeping him out until December. Mykhailo Mudryk completes Chelsea’s contingent of long-term casualties, as the Ukrainian’s ban rumbles on.
After coming off injured during Portugal’s thrilling 2-2 draw with Hungary, it seemed unlikely that Pedro Neto would feature at the City Ground. However, the pacey winger made a decisive contribution in Chelsea’s impressive victory over Nottingham Forest, claiming a goal and assist within three second-half minutes. Returning full-back Reece James made a similar impact in the East Midlands, while there was further good news as recently crocked trio Andrey Santos (thigh), Tosin Adarabioyo (calf), and Moisés Caicedo (knock) also played a part in Saturday’s win.
Having flown home early from international duty with a knee complaint, Enzo Fernández faces a race against time to be ready for Wednesday night. The same could be said of French defender Wesley Fofana, who is still not 100% fit following his concussion diagnosis.
João Pedro foolishly received two yellow cards after being introduced from the bench against Benfica, and is therefore forced to serve a one-match suspension. That leaves academy graduate Tyrique George to lead the line again, as the reigning Conference League champions turn to one of last season’s main breakout talents.
Chelsea predicted line-up v Ajax (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Enzo Maresca
Robert Sánchez (GK), Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, Roméo Lavia, Enzo Fernández, Estêvão, Facundo Buonanotte, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrique George
Ajax team news
Johnny Heitinga is also unable to call upon the services of several key players, as the former Everton and Fulham defender receives a baptism of fire in his first permanent managerial post.
Japanese centre-back Ko Itakura has endured a frustrating start to his Ajax career, having twisted his ankle during the first international break. He later aggravated this injury towards the end of September, but is now gradually approaching full fitness. It looked at one stage as if 41-year-old Remko Pasveer would assume responsibilities between the sticks following the international break, but Liverpool loanee Vítězslav Jaroš has since made a speedy recovery from an undisclosed issue. Danish marksman Kasper Dolberg is also sidelined, after an abdominal injury re-emerged during last month’s 2-2 draw with title rivals PSV Eindhoven.
Branco van den Boomen hasn’t seen a single minute of action this season, while fellow midfielder Youri Regeer was only fit enough to make the bench over the weekend. There’s been a further setback for Belgian winger Mika Godts, who is currently wrestling with a recurring hamstring problem. Meanwhile, Owen Wijndal misses out after sustaining a muscle injury in Ajax’s final fixture before October’s international break, which could result in right-sided defender Lucas Rosa operating as a makeshift left-back.
Wout Weghorst will likely be asked to spearhead the visitors’ attack, having netted five times in his opening eight Eredivisie appearances this term. However, the ex-Manchester United frontman and his Ajax teammates drew a blank in Saturday’s disappointing home defeat to AZ Alkmaar, so John Heitinga will expect his side to show a more clinical edge in the final third at Stamford Bridge.
Ajax predicted line-up v Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Coach: John Heitinga
Remko Pasveer (GK), Anton Gaaei, Josip Šutalo, Youri Baas, Lucas Rosa, Davy Klaassen, Kenneth Taylor, Oliver Edvardsen, Oscar Gloukh, Steven Berghuis, Wout Weghorst
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
For the best part of a decade, TNT Sports held exclusive broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League. Although Amazon Prime has now muscled its way into the picture, TNT Sports will still provide live coverage of over 185 Champions League fixtures this term, while also showing every match from UEFA’s two other marquee club competitions.
TNT Sports customers should tune into the TNT Sports 2 channel to watch Wednesday’s meeting between Chelsea and Ajax, although those with an enhanced subscription can enjoy the match in 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos surround sound over on TNT Sports Ultimate. Alternatively, these viewers can watch events unfold at Stamford Bridge via the discovery+ application, where extended highlights, a full match replay, and post-match analysis will all be available after 22:00 (BST).
Head-to-head record
Chelsea and Ajax have only faced each other on two previous occasions, both of which came during the group stages of the 2019/20 Champions League campaign. The first clash between these two European giants couldn’t have been any more different from the second.
A late strike from Belgian frontman Michy Batshuayi handed the Blues a 1-0 triumph at the Johan Cruyff Arena in late October, before the pair shared eight goals in West London a fortnight later. Ajax led 4-1 on the hour mark as own goals from Tammy Abraham and Kepa Arrizabalaga damaged Chelsea’s cause, but the hosts roared back late on. César Azpilicueta’s tap-in was followed up by Jorginho’s second successfully converted penalty of the evening, before a fresh-faced Reece James smashed the ball past André Onana to dramatically level the scores.
Frank Lampard’s men marched on to the knockout rounds after finishing as Group H runners-up, while third-placed Ajax dropped down into the UEFA Europa League. It mattered little, however, as both teams were duly eliminated at the next stage of their respective competitions.
Odds for Chelsea v Ajax
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365