Ajax vs Chelsea
Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 23 October 2019
Kick-off at 17:55 UK/ 18:55 CET
Venue: Johan Cruijff Arena (Amsterdam).
Match Preview
Chelsea started the season poorly under Lampard, with just two wins from the opening six Premier League matches them. However, they have since turned things around, winning their last three on the bounce in the competition.The Blues also have been tightened a bit defensively, recording their first two clean sheets this season in scoring this victory - although both came at Stamford Bridge.
Shape Chelsea have recently either been enough to lift them to fourth in the league, although the fifth Arsenal have a game in hand and only two points behind.
Lampard side begin their Champions League campaign in stuttering fashion, however, slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Valencia, who have their own initial mixture in La Liga.
The same thing can not be said of Ajax, who have been excellent again this season after their surprise run to the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition last season.
Eredivisie defending champions sit atop the league once again and have won eight and drawn two of their first 10 games, staving off competition from title rivals PSV.
Ajax also has begun with a bang in Europe, recording back-to-back 3-0 victories in their first two meetings soared to the top of Group H.
Chelsea have a real task on their hands to secure the top position against a strong side in the form and will hope to be the first team to beat the Dutch club this term when they visit the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Ajax form: DWWWWW
Chelsea Shape: LWWWWW
Ajax vs Chelsea head-to-head (h2h)
Both have been lined up against each other only once in the 21st century, and in 2010 a friendly tie, clothes England lost 3-1.
Forecast
Ajax are the team in form, whether it is in Europe or in the domestic competition they remain unbeaten in all competitions this season (W13 D4). Hence, their recent record at home against English opposition is especially poor - a 3-1 win against Manchester City in the group stage of the 2012/13 Champions League is the only Ajax win in their last six games at home to English opposition (D1 L4) ,
In addition, Chelsea have historically fared well against opponents the Netherlands, before their two matches ended in a 3-1 home and away wins against Feyenoord in the group stage of the Champions League 1999-1900. Chelsea have scored three or more goals in five of their last ten games in Europe, which means it could end up being a high scoring game.
However, due to a superior form Ajax this season and the way in which they take on separate teams, a victory for the Dutch seems the most likely outcome, although it is not given. A live open game should be on the cards, with both teams looking likely to score.
Prediction: Ajax 3-1 Chelsea
