Chelsea face Ajax for the first time ever tonight. Our writers are unusually uncertain about how this game will play out for two teams built upon their academies.
Chelsea have not built up much confidence or momentum in their first two Champions League games, which makes Ajax away a daunting midweek action. Overall, though, the Blues are on a five-game win streak in all competitions, including their squeaker over Lille in the Champions League. Might they make it six?
Scott Brant: Ajax 1 – 2 Chelsea. This match screams draw, but I just can’t take it. The Blues need a win. It’s a must-win, which is ridiculous to think this early in the group stages. With that being said, the Blues will have a bit more ambition to get the points. It will be even for a long spell with Chelsea pushing hard at the end and Olivier Giroud notching a goal off the bench in the last 15 minutes.
Barrett Rouen: 2 – 3. Chelsea take this one in the end, but it will be a disorganized shoot out in Amsterdam. Away from the pressures of Stamford Bridge, a much weaker Ajax are not the same team they were last season. Chelsea are better and in a better situation. Tammy Abraham to score.
Olaoluwa Nwobodo: 0 – 2. A win in this match mean Chelsea go top of the table via the head-to-head tiebreaker. Ajax are a very organized, well put together team. Chelsea players will want to deliver a performance they can be proud of against another young team. We all know what happens when Chelsea players play for their pride.
Chelsea to keep a clean sheet (even though nothing points in that direction). with Michy Batshuayi and Willian goals.
Nate Hofmann: 3 – 2. Ajax made light work of both Lille and Valencia in the first two match days, while Chelsea made a hash of the Valencia game and just managed to squeak out a win in France. Neither side has a particularly convincing defense, but Chelsea seem especially ill-equipped to deal with Dusan Tadic and Hakim Ziyech. Throw in the eternal Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar, and Chelsea could be in trouble. It should be a fast-paced, stylish affair, but you have to give the edge to the home side here.
Varun Dani: 1 – 2. This is arguably the match to watch of this match day, as viewers will be treated to some high octane, open football. The Blues ground out a champion-esque victory against Newcastle, showing that this squad is capable of adjusting and winning in different situations.
Frank Lampard and his boys have their work cut out, and their defence will not be able to withstand Tadic and Ziyech for the entire match, but will come up on top at the final whistle.
Gabe Henderson: 2 – 2. Ajax are a tough opponent, especially at home. With all of the injuries, it’ll be tough to head into Amsterdam and beat Ajax. However, with the current run of form Chelsea are in, the Blues will be able to secure a much-needed point heading into the back half of the Champions League group stage schedule.
Abhishek Pancholi: 2 – 1. No one said this would be easy. The Dutch side reached the semifinals of the Champions League last time out, and they’ve largely managed to retain their most important players. This will be a difficult night out for Lampard’s men, who will fall behind early in the first half and will spend the rest of it trying to stem the tide of relentless Ajax attacks.
The second half will offer some hope, with Tammy Abraham equalizing around the 60′. But soon after, Ajax will take the lead one last time, leaving the Blues with a mountain to climb in the next few group matches.
Kevin Peacock: 1 – 1. This’ll be a tough one. Chelsea are getting better defensively but Ajax are very good going forward. If Super Frank Lampard gets away from Amsterdam with a draw it’ll be a good night.
Off the back of a clean sheet at the weekend a tight draw is the best I can see in this one. Tambraham, of course, gets the goal.