Champions League: Heritage Meets ‘New Money’

Chelsea vs Ajax

For so long these clubs operated in different spheres of the game.

Ajax were true Euro royalty with a real pedigree going back to the days of Johan Cruyff in his pomp.

By contrast, while the Dutch masters were regulars at Europe’s top table, Chelsea were only invited to the dance occasionally, although they did have success in Europe’s second competition, the much-missed European Cup Winners Cup (1971 and 1998).

Now you find both clubs in the expanded Champions League, the difference could not be more marked and, with the greatest of respect, it’s all down to money.

 

Talking Points

The expansion of the Champions League and the arrival on the scene of Roman Abramovich changed all that and the west Londoners now welcome Ajax to Stamford Bridge as firm favourites to build on their victory against Benfica last time out.

That sparked a run of three successive victories as it was followed by back-to-back Premier League successes over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest either side of the international break.

The latter result – a comprehensive 3-0 victory at the City Ground – cost Ange Postecoglou his job in Nottingham on Saturday, while few are now questioning Enzo Maresca’s position, following the Blues’ September slump (such is modern day football) which included a chastening defeat at Bayern Munich in their group opener.

The momentum is certainly all with Chelsea who have only lost twice in 60 top-level European matches on home soil as they welcome opponents who are having a miserable time of it.

Managed by ex-Everton defender Johnny Heitinga, Ajax are yet to get off the mark in Europe, going down 2-0 at home to last season’s defeated finalists Inter Milan in their first group game before being mauled by Marseille in France at the end of last month.

With zero points, zero goals and six conceded from their two Champions League games so far this season, the Eredivisie outfit find themselves bottom but one in the 36-team standings and only tournament debutants Kairat have a worse record.

Heitinga also oversaw a dismal 2-0 home defeat to AZ Alkmaar at the weekend – leaving Ajax nine points off the top of the Eredivisie table and boasting just one win from their last six games.

Given the circumstances he has inherited, he will likely be given longer in the job but it’s hard to see much of a turnaround as it stands.

The hosts are still without Cole Palmer (groin), Mykhaylo Mudryk (doping ban), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Benoit Badiashile (muscle) and Liam Delap (hamstring), while Joao Pedro is suspended.

But it truly sums up the difference in resources between the sides when you know that defender Jorrel Hato, who Chelsea signed from Ajax this summer, may have to settle for a place on the bench against his old employers even with the home side missing so many.

The one-time Dutch greats are without a number of experienced attackers, as well as midfield fulcrum Branco van den Boomen who is dealing with a back injury, so don’t be surprised to see former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst in the number nine role.

This contest will be Chelsea’s 200th in the tournament, while the Dutch side will be playing their 250th top-level European match.

The funds now ploughed into the Premier League compared to the Dutch, though, tells its own story and I cannot see beyond home Champions League 2025 highlights and, crucially, three points.

 

History

When they first met in the group stages of the competition in 2019, a late goal from Michy Batshuayi was enough to earn Chelsea victory in Amsterdam.

Despite some of their leading players moving on that summer following their run to the Champions League semi-finals (notably Matthijs de Ligt to Juventus and Frenkie de Jong to Barcelona), the return a fortnight later showed how much the Dutch giants still had about them.

Erik ten Hag’s men drew 4-4 in an eight goal thriller, despite finishing the contest with nine players as Chelsea fought back.

The Dutch champions had looked on course for victory when Donny van de Beek gave them a three-goal lead 10 minutes after the break.

On a topsy turvy night, Ajax profited from two own goals, Chelsea benefited from two Jorginho penalties and the equaliser came from their now captain Reece James, then 19, as the substitute pulled Chelsea level and became the club’s youngest Champions League goalscorer in the process.

 

Betting Tip

The gulf is perhaps best highlighted by our Champions League 2025 betting odds of Chelsea 1X2 @ 1.23 and Ajax @ 8.40. Even the draw is not really fancied, given it’s priced @ 5.70.

As brilliant as it would be for the neutral, a re-run of last time is as unlikely as it is lucrative with odds of Correct Score 4-4 on offer @ 250.00.

If you fancy goals, how about Total Goal 2-3 @ 2.31, 4-6 @ 2.28 or over 3.75 @ 2.31 as opposed to Total Goal 0-1 @ 5.60.

Asian Handicap odds of Chelsea -2.00 @ 2.13 and Ajax +1.50 @ 2.21 tell their own story and I cannot see past a home win.

As far as this SBOTOP predictor fares, I am going for an unusual *** tip of First Half over 1.50 goals @ 2.14.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.