MX23RW : Friday, October 25 06:06:39| >> :600:223305:223305:
Oct 23, 2019 at 5.55pm UK at ​Amsterdam Arena
Attendance: 52,482
Ajax
0-1
Chelsea
FT(HT: 0-0)
Batshuayi (86')

How Chelsea could line up against Ajax

Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for Wednesday's Champions League group stage clash with Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

Chelsea's narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United was the continuation of a good run of form for the Blues after a shaky start to the season.

Frank Lampard's side have now won their last five across all competitions, having won just twice this season before that.

They face an Ajax side who are have yet to lose a competitive match this term, however, and the reigning Eredivisie champions won both of their opening Champions League group stage games by comfortable 3-0 scorelines.

The Blues, on the other hand, were beaten 1-0 by Valencia in their first European tie of the campaign, before beating Lille 2-1 in a tight game in France.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Chelsea could line up for Wednesday's showdown.


Possible CHE XI vs. AJA

Out: Andreas Christensen (hamstring), Antonio Rudiger (groin), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (achilles), Marco van Ginkel (knee), Ross Barkley (ankle)
Doubtful: N'Golo Kante (groin), Emerson Palmieri (thigh), Cesar Azpilicueta (knock)

> Click here for Liverpool's full injury and suspension list ahead of this match

Kepa Arrizabalaga has featured in every Premier League and Champions League game for the Blues so far this season and this is unlikely to change against Ajax. Injuries will likely force Lampard's hand when choosing his back four, however.

With Rudiger and Christensen out, the central defensive pairing of Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori will continue, with the latter particularly impressing thus far. At left-back, Marcos Alonso's winning goal against Newcastle is likely to be enough to see him keep his place even if Emerson overcomes his injury problems. On the opposite flank, Azpilicueta's potential absence will be of greater concern to Lampard, but Reece James will be hoping to take his opportunity and impress if the Spaniard's knock keeps him out.

The Blues' injury list extends to midfield as well, with Barkley limping off to join Kante, Loftus-Cheek and Van Ginkel on the injury table. As a result, a trio of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount is likely to be deployed in the Netherlands.

Lampard has plenty of options going forward, however, but is likely to stick with the front three of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Tammy Abraham and Willian that has started the last two games, meaning that Michy Batshuayi, Olivier Giroud, Pedro and new signing Christian Pulisic may have to bide their time on the bench.

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Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Ajax and Chelsea?

Ajax
Draw
Chelsea
Ajax
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Chelsea
0.0%
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Callum Hudson-Odoi in action for Chelsea on April 3, 2019
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool98102171425
2Manchester CityMan City96122992019
3Leicester CityLeicester9522168817
4Chelsea95221914517
5Arsenal94321312115
6Crystal Palace9423810-214
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs93331513212
8Burnley93331211112
9Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd933387112
10Bournemouth93331313012
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham93331113-212
12Aston Villa93241513211
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves92521212011
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd9243109110
15Everton9315813-510
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton9234912-39
17Southampton9225916-78
18Newcastle UnitedNewcastle9225514-98
19Norwich CityNorwich92161021-117
20Watford9045521-164

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