Chelsea vs Ajax Predictions

• Ajax have conceded at least twice in five of their last six matches.
• Chelsea have lost one of their last nine at Stamford Bridge.
• The Londoners have lost two of their last 15 European games.

Chelsea look a strong proposition

Chelsea lost their opening match of the Champions League campaign at Bayern Munich, but Enzo Maresca’s side got back on track with a 1-0 home win over Benfica and they should claim another success against out-of-form Ajax.

The Blues have hit a purple patch after winning their last three matches and a solid European record at Stamford bridge was helped by being easily the strongest team in last season’s Conference League.

A 3-1 loss to Brighton has been their only blip in their last five matches and they came up against Nottingham Forest at exactly the right time on Saturday, claiming a 3-0 win that led to Ange Postecoglou’s City Ground sacking, but thinks may not be as comprehensive against their Eredivisie visitors.

Ajax will endeavour to keep things tight

Chelsea should come out on top, but Ajax can be expected to try and put up stern resistance, even if they are unable to leave London with anything.

The Amsterdam outfit have already lost 2-0 at home to Inter, and they will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their most recent Champions League away game when they were sunk 4-0 at Marseille.

That result flattered the hosts who won the expected-goals (xG) score 1.1-0.8, but the fact Ajax’s only victory in their last six games came against a NAC Breda side who played the last 20 minutes with ten men does not bode well.

However, Chelsea needed an own goal to get past Benfica last time so if the home win is secured, it may not be comprehensive, so backing the Blues to win a game that features fewer than four goals could be the way forward with a 2-0 success attractive from a correct-score perspective.

Pedro can find the Neto

Those looking for an anytime-goalscorer interest are pointed towards Chelsea’s Pedro Neto.

The Portuguese forward notched for the second time this season in the victory at the City Ground at the weekend and he has had at least two efforts on goal in five of his last six matches, so this could be an opportunity for him to add to his tally.