Ajax vs Chelsea
Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Kick-off at 17:55 UK/ 18:55 CET
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam).
Opta stats
Ajax and Chelsea have never met before in European competition, with nine different Blues English team has faced Ajax in the UEFA European competitions.
Chelsea are unbeaten in four previous European matches with the Dutch side (W2 D2 L0), winning twice against Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League 1999-1900 and draw two goalless knockout match against AFC DWS in the Fairs Cup in 1968-1969, going out after defeat a coin toss.
Ajax has won one of the four Champions League home matches against English teams (W1 D1 L2), 3-1 win over Man City in October 2012 - in their latest game, they gave up a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 Spurs in last season's semi-finals.
Ajax vs Chelsea Team News
Ten Hag had a fit team to choose from and so people like Donny van de Beek, Nicolas Tagliafico and Dusan Tadic should all start.
Frank Lampard, however, has a wealth of attendance to handle including Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Ross Barkley, N'golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Emerson and Cesar Azpilicueta are both doubtful.
Ajax vs Chelsea Preview
Ajax seems to have felt some ill effects from the summer departures Frenkie de Jong, with the Amsterdam outfit Eredivisie leading by three points and topping Group H.
They have been in the form of exceptional scoring in Johan Cruyff ArenA as well, netting 16 times in just four league games there while adding three against Lille in their first group match of the Champions League.
Chelsea recovered from the battle earlier in the season they were under Lampard and have won each of their last four games to go, netting 14 goals in that time, although defense issues they remain with the Blues conceded a goal in eight of their last nine games outside Stamford Bridge ,
Head to record Head (H2H)
The two sides have never met in a competitive match before. Their last meeting of any description come in a pre-season friendly back in 2010, which Ajax won 3-1.
Prediction
Wednesday night will push Chelsea to limit in terms of performance. But with both sides on a good run, should see an entertaining affair with both sides looking to get a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Lampard had injuries to contend with, ten Hag was not and with injuries to key players, who arranged for the Blues can not afford to have a slip up.
Chelsea had to be at the point of self-defense, if not Ajax can run riot on Wednesday.
Prediction: Ajax 1-1 Chelsea
