Football Preview | Chelsea v Ajax
Chelsea host Ajax for a game that will mark a milestone in their club's history.
This will be their 200th Champions League match.
This match is almost a must-win, certainly if Maresca’s side are harboring any ambitions of finishing in the top eight and thus getting a direct ticket to the round of 16.
Among the five remaining matches after this, there will be a trip to Napoli and a home match against Barcelona. There won’t be much room for error.
Chelsea team news
Moisés Caicedo managed to play 45 minutes on Saturday, while Pedro Neto appeared his usual energetic self despite missing training in the build-up. Enzo Fernández and Wesley Fofana were rested as a precaution over the weekend, but could be available in at least a limited capacity. João Pedro is suspended after his red card against Benfica. Click the link for the latest team news ahead of the match.
The Ajax perspective
Ajax have struggled in the competition this season. There was a 2-0 loss to Inter Milan on matchday one, followed by a heavy defeat to Marseille in their most recent outing.
Johnny Heitinga's side conceded four goals without reply to the Ligue 1 leaders at the Orange Vélodrome. With no points, no goals scored, and six conceded from their two Champions League matches so far this season, the Eredivisie side sit second from bottom in the 36-team standings. This is a huge game for them.
The history between the two sides
Chelsea and Ajax meet in Europe for the third time, having previously faced each other twice in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League group stage. The Blues won 1-0 in Amsterdam before a thrilling 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Key stats and facts
Chelsea have lost only two of their last 12 UEFA Champions League matches at Stamford Bridge, both to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of 2021-22 and 2022-23. The Blues remain unbeaten in their last 12 group games at Stamford Bridge, winning eight and drawing four, since Valencia secured a victory there in September 2019.
Ajax have not won any of their last 11 major European fixtures against English opposition, drawing twice and losing nine, since a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in April 2019. They have also struggled for goals, failing to score in their last five encounters, with their most recent strike coming from Mohammed Kudus against Liverpool in September 2022.
The Dutch side have lost their last five European matches, including three in the UEFA Europa League last season and the first two Champions League games this term. They have not suffered six consecutive defeats in major European competition since a run between April 1988 and September 1989.
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