Chelsea vs Ajax Prediction, 02:00 October 23: Confidently extending winning streak

TPO - Football commentary Chelsea vs Ajax, UEFA Champions League qualifying round, at 02:00 on October 23 - Information on forces, expected lineup, form, history of confrontation. This is Chelsea's 200th match in Europe's most prestigious arena, where coach Enzo Maresca and his team aim for their fourth consecutive victory on all fronts.

Pre-match comments

Chelsea are showing signs of a smooth-running “green machine” again under coach Enzo Maresca. After their first win in the 2025/26 Champions League against Benfica on 30 September – a match in which the Blues did not need to score themselves to win 1-0 thanks to a Richard Rios own goal – the Club World Cup champions continued their impressive form with a series of three consecutive wins in all competitions.

In the Premier League, the Blues defeated Liverpool before defeating Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground – a result that cost coach Ange Postecoglou his job. From being rumored to be “possibly fired” in September, Enzo Maresca has now made everyone look at him with different eyes: brave, effective and full of desire to conquer.

In European competition, Chelsea are enjoying an impressive run of form: 15 consecutive home games unbeaten in the Champions League group stage or qualifying round, and only two defeats in their last 60 games at Stamford Bridge in European competitions. That’s enough to make their home ground a formidable fortress for any opponent.

Meanwhile, Ajax are in crisis. The Dutch team started their Champions League campaign badly with two consecutive defeats 0-2 against Inter Milan and 0-4 against Marseille, failing to score a single goal and conceding 6. For the first time since the 2012/13 season, Ajax have finished empty-handed after their first two matches, and are currently just above newcomers Kairat in the 36-team rankings.

Coach Johnny Heitinga, who was an assistant at Liverpool, continues to be under great pressure after Ajax lost 0-2 to AZ Alkmaar in the domestic league last weekend. His team is currently 9 points behind the top of the Eredivisie (Dutch national championship) and has won only 1 of the last 6 matches. However, the board still temporarily put their trust in coach Heitinga, despite worrying statistics that Ajax have conceded 2 or more goals in 6 consecutive matches in all competitions.

Back at Stamford Bridge, the memories of the crazy 4-4 draw in 2019 are still fresh. But with the current contrast in form, it is hard to believe that Ajax will be able to replicate that “miracle” again. Chelsea are aiming for a second consecutive Champions League victory, to confirm that they are not only back, but stronger than ever.

Force information

Chelsea will be without Joao Pedro, who is suspended since the Benfica game, along with Cole Palmer, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Benoit Badiashile and Liam Delap. Enzo Fernandez is also being monitored due to a knee problem.

For Ajax, left-back Owen Wijndal has recovered from a minor muscle injury and is on the list to go to London, but the away team still does not have the services of Kasper Dolberg, Steven Berghuis and Branco van den Boomen.

Expected lineup

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Fofana, Cucurella; Gusto, Caicedo; Estevao, Buonanotte, Neto; George

Ajax (4-2-3-1): Jaros; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Rosa; Klaassen, Taylor; Edvardsen, Gloukh, Godts; Weghorst

Score prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Ajax

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-chelsea-vs-ajax-02h00-ngay-2310-tu-tin-noi-dai-mach-thang-post1789492.tpo