For the second time this season, Stamford Bridge will host a UEFA Champions League fixture – Chelsea vs Ajax. With Ajax bottom of the UCL table, and Chelsea only 19th, both teams will be desperate for a haul of three points come the full whistle.
Match Details
Stamford Bridge
London, England
October 22
20:00 PM BST
Chelsea Injuries: How Will the Blues Cope Without Palmer?
In recent weeks, Chelsea have been plagued with injuries that have affected their performances.
The Blues’ biggest blow is Cole Palmer’s groin injury, which has sidelined him since September, and will keep him out for at least six more weeks.
Palmer’s last appearance came on September 20, in a Manchester United vs Chelsea fixture which ended in demise for Enzo Maresca’s side. Palmer started that game, but was on for only 21 minutes due to his groin injury.
Chelsea have since played five games, winning all but one. Despite the triumphs, Palmer’s absence was evident in each game.
Maresca has been reluctant to start Willian Estevao regularly. However, with Ajax being a not-so-difficult opponent, proper game time for the young Brazilian would be ideal.
In the absence of Palmer, Estevao is Maresca’s next best No. 10. With Estevao playing behind a striker, Chelsea’s attack may just carry the magic needed to climb up the UCL rankings.
Suspensions Galore for the Blues
Injuries are not Maresca’s only hurdles in the 2025/26 season so far.
Chelsea appear to be having disciplinary issues, with over 20 yellow cards already this season, as well as four player suspensions from red cards.
Against Ajax, new Chelsea signing Joao Pedro will be unavailable after receiving two yellow cards in the Blues’ UCL win over Benfica.
With players like Palmer and Liam Delap already missing due to injury, Maresca will be short of yet another prominent attacker in his squad.
How will the Italian coach overcome this? Perhaps Marc Guiu will start in the No. 9 position, with Estevao in the No. 10, and Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho on the wings come the Chelsea vs Ajax clash.
Another question begs: Will Chelsea manage to finish the game without any red cards?
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Ajax in a Slump
Dutch side Ajax have only one win, and three losses in their last six fixtures – an unideal run of form ahead of a big Champions League game.
Even more concerning, they are yet to record a win in the UCL, with losses to Serie A side Inter Milan and France’s Marseille. They are also goalless in the competition thus far.
To add to the blow, Ajax have travelled to West London without Steven Berghuis, who has been one of their top performers in a difficult season. Without him on the wing, John Heitinga’s side will lack a much-needed spark in attack in the Chelsea vs Ajax game.
Chelsea vs Ajax Injuries
Chelsea injuries: Cole Palmer, Benoit Badiashile, Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Dario Essugo, Enzo Fernandez, Joao Pedro (suspension)
Ajax injuries: Kasper Dolberg, Steven Berghuis, Branco van den Boomen, Don-Angelo Konadu, Owen Wijndal
Chelsea vs Ajax Predicted Lineups
With key players missing from both clubs, John Heitinga and Enzo Maresca will be unable to field their strongest XIs at Stamford Bridge come Wednesday night. Here are the Chelsea vs Ajax predicted lineups:
Chelsea predicted XI: Robert Sanchez, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Aradbioyo, Marc Cucurella, Andrey Santos, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, Estevao, Marc Guiu
Ajax predicted XI: Vitezslav Jaros, Anton Gaaei, Josip Sutalo, Youri Baas, Lucas Rosa, Davy Klaassen, Kenneth Taylor, Oliver Edvardsen, Mika Godts, Oscar Gloukh, Wout Weghorst
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 30.09.2025