Ajax vs Chelsea UCL Matchday 3 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview
- Dutch side in command after two straight 3-0 wins
- Londoners recovered after shock Matchday 1 defeat
- Lampard’s team have improved after stuttering start
Ajax have the opportunity to take a firm grip on Champions League Group H when they face Chelsea for the first time in the two clubs’ history on Wednesday.
The Dutch masters have won both their opening fixtures by 3-0 and are favored for victory against the Londoners on October 23, at Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, at 12:55 pm EST.
The analysts narrowly choose Ajax at +116 to win with Chelsea at +215. Given the home team’s excellent start in the competition and Chelsea’s recent upturn in form, the draw at +245 looks promising.
UCL Group H Ajax vs Chelsea Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | pk,- ½ – 104 | -+116 | Ov2½, 3 -118 |
| Chelsea | pk,+ ½ – 112 | -+215 | Un2½,3 +102 |
| Draw | N/A | +245 | N/A |
*Odds taken at 2019/10/18
Ajax were beaten in last season’s semifinal by Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
They began this season’s group campaign with a 3-0 win at home against Lille. They followed that with a 3-0 victory in Valencia to lead the table.
Top of Netherlands’ Eredivisie
They are also flying high domestically – sitting unbeaten on top of the Dutch Eredivisie after nine fixtures, with seven wins and two draws.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard won the Champions League with the club in 2012.
How well do you know @tammyabraham? ?
— Chelsea FC – #StayHomeSaveLives (@ChelseaFC) October 18, 2019
After taking command at Stamford Bridge this summer, his campaign in Europe got off to an unexpectedly bad start when his team were beaten 1-0 at home by Valencia in September.
However, they recovered to win 2-1 in Lille earlier this month. They are second in the section ahead of Valencia on goal difference and will be the best quality opponents Ajax have met so far.
Lampard’s managerial career also started poorly in the Premier League in a 4-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford in August.
They are now unbeaten in their last eight away ties in European competition following their undefeated triumph in the Europa League last season.
Lampard’s managerial career also started poorly in the Premier League in a 4-0 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford in August.
But they have won three of their last four matches to sit fifth in the EPL – with a thumping 4-1 win at Southampton the most recent result on October 6.
UCL 2019-20 Ajax vs Chelsea Statistics
| 2 | Wins | 1 |
| 0 | Losses | 1 |
| 0 | Draws | 0 |
| 6 | Goals | 2 |
| 28 | Goal Attempts | 32 |
| 86% | Passing accuracy | 88% |
| 51% | Possession | 59% |
Young striker Tammy Abraham is the EPL’s joint-top scorer with eight goals alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
Qualifying Rounds Progress
Despite reaching the last four last season, Dutch champions Ajax had to defeat Greek side PAOK 5-4 on aggregate in this season’s third qualifying round.
That was followed by a 2-0 aggregate win against Apoel of Cyprus in the playoff round.
Ajax banned from taking ANY fans to Chelsea clash at Stamford Bridge as punishment for fan behaviour against Valencia in Champions League https://t.co/Ho4Cd7hR9l pic.twitter.com/zj5hZ5cDpC
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) October 17, 2019
In leading the Dutch table, Ajax have scored 29 times while conceding only six goals.
They have also kept clean sheets in their last three league fixtures as well as in both UCL matches.
Ajax have won only once at home against London sides – a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in the 1971/72 European Cup quarterfinal.
Serbian striker Dusan Tadic is the leading scorer with eight goals – three in the UCL. Dutch forward Quincy Promes has hit seven goals in all competitions while Hakim Ziyech and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have six apiece.
Ajax have won only once at home against London sides – a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in the 1971/72 European Cup quarterfinal.
Chelsea’s last visit to the stadium in Amsterdam was a successful one when they overcame Benfica in the 2013 Europa League final.
In 16 entries to the UCL, they have failed to reach the knockout stages only once – ironically, as holders in 2012/13.
Pick: Draw +245
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
