Chelsea vs Ajax Preview – Betting Tips and UCL Preview

Ajax were most certainly the surprise packages of last season’s Champions League and were only denied a place in the final when Tottenham scored three second-half goals, including a late winner, in Amsterdam to seal an away goals triumph. There have been a few changes at the Dutch club since last term, but they remain a dangerous team with excellent football quality as proved by their victories at Real Madrid and Juventus last season. Chelsea will be aware of the Ajax attacking flair, but the Blues have become an emerging young team currently residing just two points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table. Expect Frank Lampard’s team to play their part in what could be an open game of Champions League football.

It is becoming clear that Chelsea have become a more potent team on their travels having won seven successive matches on away soil. Both Liverpool and Manchester United have claimed victory at Stamford Bridge this term while the Blues lost their only group game to date on home turf when beaten 1-0 by Valencia. Chelsea often find it difficult to break teams down on home territory, but they netted four goals in each of two Premier League away matches last month, although both opposition teams have suspect defences.

Visitors Ajax will be aware of the difficulties faced by their hosts on home soil this season and will be keen to avenge their 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture. The Dutch team have won their two subsequent Eredivisie fixtures including the 4-0 defeat of Feyenoord, and they are clear leaders in the league table with score draws at Vitesse and PSV Eindhoven preventing a 100% sequence in domestic football. It is also worth noting that there has been an even spread of goals among four forwards this season, so there is not an over-reliance on just one player to find the net.

Team News

Lisandro Martinez suffered a knee injury when playing for Ajax at Pec Zwolle on Friday evening and is doubtful for this game. In that same match, Edison Alvarez incurred a mouth injury and is another fitness concern while Donny van de Beek may have aggravated a hamstring problem.

Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Marco Van Ginkel are unlikely to feature for Chelsea, but Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante are closing on a return to action. This game may arrive too early for Ross Barkley who has an ankle problem.

Prediction

Despite reaching the semi-final stage of the Champions League last season, Ajax were forced to play in two qualifying rounds this term prior to the Group stage but then proved their strength on the road by winning 3-0 in Valencia. That result followed 4-1 and 2-1 victories at Real Madrid and Juventus respectively last term. It could be fair to say that Ajax may score at least once at Stamford Bridge while Chelsea have failed to net in just one home game this term. Therefore, a good bet may be for Over 2.5 goals and Both Teams to Score priced at 5/6 with Bet365.

A second pick is for Chelsea and Ajax to draw offered at 13/5 by Bet365. As already mentioned, Ajax can be a formidable team on their travels while Chelsea can be vulnerable at Stamford Bridge. Although a victory for either team would guarantee a top position in the group table, a draw would not be the worst result for the two group favourites. Ajax might not be the force of last season, but they could still avoid defeat in London and return home with a precious point.