Chelsea vs Ajax
Two of Europe’s most exciting young sides are set to clash again when Chelsea and Ajax meet at Stamford Bridge to contest the top spot in Champions League Group H.
It’s a game both teams, currently locked on six points, will be out to win; with Valencia, just two points behind, playing at home to Lille in the other Group H clash, it could become mightily congested in the chase for two places.
The latest group Champions League 2019 betting odds here at SBOBET predict both Chelsea and Ajax will progress to the knockout stages at odds of 1.20 and 1.25, with Valencia at 2.35.
But should the Spaniards win at home to Lille on Tuesday night (they are at 1.88 to achieve that), then they will reach seven points and chase down at least one of the top two.
Talking Points
Lamps delighted with talent at his disposal
When Frank Lampard arrived at Chelsea in the midst of a transfer embargo, many fans and pundits wondered how the new head coach would cope. Well, after 11 games in the Premier League we have an answer.
After losing their opener to Manchester United the Blues have taken 23 points from 10 games to move up to third place in the league, and just two points behind favourites Manchester City.
Lampard was already beloved in West London, having starred for Chelsea in a glittering career between 2001 and 2014, scoring 211 goals from midfield to become the Blues’ all-time leading goal scorer. And if his start as coach is anything to go by, he could have an equally spectacular career as the leader from the sidelines.
He’s more than happy with his lot at the Bridge, saying he is blessed to have so many quality players at his disposal: “We’ve got Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, while Mason Mount has announced himself – I can go throughout the team. The fans want to see good football, and I want the ball moved quickly. I want you to see a clip of us playing out but also have the ability to go long and hit Tammy.”
His side has done that to great effect, Tammy Abraham scored his ninth goal of the season on Saturday, as Chelsea racked up a fifth consecutive league win. A trip to Watford wasn’t the most difficult preparation for Frank Lampard’s Blues. It’s not far from their Stamford Bridge home and the Hornets are low on confidence, rooted to the bottom of the league and without a win.
Christian Pulisic made a stunning impact in the recent clash with Ajax in Amsterdam, coming on as a substitute. Since then, he’s scored a hat-trick against Burnley and notched another goal in the win at Vicarage Road.
How many sets of fans in the Premier League would prefer their managers to stick with what they have, rather than spending big in January? Transfer ban or not, I suspect the Blues faithful are just as happy as their head coach.
Ajax attacking threat
Losing to Chelsea at home was a blow, but Erik ten Hag’s team is pulling away in the Dutch Eredivise league table, now six points clear of second-placed AZ Alkmaar and eight ahead of main rivals PSV Eindhoven.
They warmed up for this game with a 2-4 victory away to PEC Zwolle. Top scorer Quincey Promes bagged a brace to take his season tally to eight in the league. The Dutch striker is part of an exciting attack alongside Dusan Tadic, who has scored six goals and made 10 assists in the league, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (five goals) is another option up front.
Just behind the front line, midfield ace Hakim Ziyech is oozing with quality. He’s scored five goals and made seven assists in the league, and he is a great source of supply to Promes, who will hope to add to his two Champions League goals.
Ten Hag might be without star midfielder, Donny van de Beek, who has a hamstring strain, but he has plenty of options in attack.
History
The honours have been shared between these two teams, with one victory each, the Dutch winning a friendly fixture 3-1, back in 2010.
Recent form is strong in both camps; Chelsea have won five out of six in all competitions, while Ajax have won four.
Betting Tip
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Chelsea vs Ajax | Draw 1×2 @ 3.60 |
| November 6, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
Home advantage makes Chelsea favourites to win this game, but the Blues have been even more effective away from the Bridge, winning seven on the bounce on their travels.
There is such a big feel-good factor in the Kings Road at the moment that Chelsea fans will believe they can win anything, but Ajax are a fine team and will be up for revenge.
We’ll know a lot more when the Champions League 2019 updates from Valencia come through, but I think these two will match each other and we’ll have a three-way battle at the top.
| A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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