Champions League

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Attendance: 52,482

Champions League | Group Stage

Oct 23, 2019 at 5.55pm UK

Ajax
0-1
Chelsea

FT(HT: 0-0)

Batshuayi (86')

How Chelsea could line up against Ajax

By Sean Wilson | 21 October 2019

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.