Ajax vs Chelsea: 3 reasons why the Blues will beat Ajax in their Champions League round 3 encounter at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday.
Frank Lampard’s young side have a tough assignment on hand when they face Ajax in the Champions League on Thursday evening. The Dutch side are yet to be beaten in the Eredivisie or Champions League this season.
Chelsea themselves are on a roll of victories but will be aware of the threat they face. Ajax have stood tall despite the departures of their star players Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs De Ligt in the summer. De Jong joined Barcelona and has since established himself in the playing eleven.
De Ligt looked set to join his compatriot at Catalonia. However, the defender made a quick U-turn on his decision and joined Juventus instead. In the wake of their departures, Ajax have made some key signings such as Quincy Promes to fill the gaps in their squad.
Ajax have beaten both their other Champions League opponents by a margin of 3 goals each. However, Chelsea may not have to suffer the same fate in the match against them. Here are 3 reasons why the Blues could prevail in the Ajax vs Chelsea match.
#3. Chelsea’s burst of youth
Ajax’s success last season was built on their youth. The club won their first league title since 2014 and claimed their first domestic double since 2002. They also became the first Dutch side since 2004/05 to get to the Champions League semi-finals.
Chelsea’s success this season so far has come in the same manner; albeit one that was forced on to them. Chelsea’s transfer embargo has resulted in Frank Lampard being forced to play youth players and the club have actually benefitted from the decision.
The players who understand that they may not get another chance as such to feature for the club have given everything they have on the field. Much like Ajax last year, this side is keen to prove themselves through fearless football.
#2. Chelsea’s run of form
Chelsea started the season with a horror 0-4 loss to Manchester United. They have since improved vastly to pose a genuine threat to any team they face. The side started slowly but have since found their groove and have stretched every team thin.
Much like their opening premier league match, Chelsea surprisingly lost to Valencia. However, they then came back to beat Lille away from home and could prove to be much more of a challenge then either of Valencia or Lille proved to be against Ajax.
The Blues are currently on a roll and have won their last 5 matches in all competitions. In doing so, they have scored 16 goals while conceding only 3. Following their 5-2 victory against Wolverhampton Wanders they became only the 3rd team to score 3 or more goals in 3 consecutive away Premier League matches.
With the form Frank Lampard’s young side is in, it would be foolhardy of Ajax to take the Blues lightly. In fact, the two Ajax vs Chelsea encounters over the next few months could decide who ends up topping group H in the Champions League.
#1. Ajax’s poor record vs English teams at home
Ajax’s thrilling run in the Champions League last season came to a halt after they lost to Tottenham on away goals. Despite winning the first leg at Spurs Stadium, a 3-2 loss to the Lilywhites at the Johan Cruyff Arena ended their hopes of winning the champions league.
That match would end up being the last competitive match they would lose. They have embarked on a remarkable unbeaten run since. However, their poor record against English teams at home suggest that this is one streak they may have a hard time holding on to.
Ajax have only won 1 of their last 6 matches at home to English sides. They have lost 4 matches and drawn 1, with their last win being the 3-1 victory over Manchester City in the 2012/13 Champions League group stage match.
Their record against London sides is just as pathetic having only 1 of their 5 fixtures against teams from the English capital. They have lost 3 matches and drawn the remaining match.
Chelsea on the other hand have an excellent away record in European matches. They have remained unbeaten in their last 8 matches on the road, of which they won 6. Chelsea also have fond memories of the Johan Cruyff Arena.
The last time they visited the stadium, they beat Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final. Lampard played and captained that Chelsea side. Lampard now manages the side and will hope to inspire his boys to come back with a victory against an exciting yet industrious Ajax side.
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