Chelsea continue their league phase campaign of 2025-26 UEFA Champions League with a clash against Ajax.
Victory could lift Chelsea into the top eight depending on results elsewhere, whilst Ajax could climb into the knockout play-off spots with a win.
Team News
Enzo Fernandez could return for Chelsea after he missed their 3-0 Premier League victory at Nottingham Forest, due to a knee injury.
Cole Palmer (groin), Benoit Badiashile (muscle), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Malo Gusto is available as his ban only applies to domestic league games.
Ajax have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 2-0 Eredivisie defeat to AZ Alkmaar.
Owen Wijndal (muscle), Branco van den Boomen (back) and Kasper Dolberg (abdominal) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Ajax at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 22 October at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea are yet to lose to Ajax in the Champions League (W1, D1).
- Ajax drew 4-4 in their only previous competitive visit to Chelsea in November 2019 which came in this competition.
- Chelsea are yet to keep a disciplinary clean sheet in this season’s Champions League.
- Ajax have conceded six goals without scoring in their two league phase fixtures (L2).
Prediction
Having found their groove again with three consecutive wins in all competitions despite surviving a sloppy first half at Forest, Chelsea can come into this game with real confidence as their attack again looks sharp but discipline does remain a huge issue for them.
Ajax meanwhile haven’t settled back into Champions League life with some poor displays so a huge improvement is needed if they’re to find that first win.
I however do think that Chelsea will have too much for them now that the Blues’ confidence has returned.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Ajax
Result: Chelsea 5-1 Ajax