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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Alice Reeves-Turner

Ajax vs Chelsea prediction: How will Champions League fixture play out tonight?

Chelsea travelled to Amsterdam where they beat Ajax in the Champions League to claim a major scalp.

Frank Lampard’s side were defeated by Valencia in their opening Group H fixture but recovered with a gritty away win at Lille to restore the club’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.

And they added a huge three points to their haul with an impressive and mature display from Frank Lampard's young side. 

Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Ajax vs Chelsea in the Uefa Youth League and the Uefa Champions League.
The Champions League match between Ajax and Chelsea kicks off later today at 17:55pm but first up we'll be bringing you the action from the corresponding UEFA Youth League fixture which gets underway in around 50 minutes time.
An indifferent start to the Champions League sees Chelsea in third place in Group H with one win and one loss but that is still a better start than their youth side.
 
The under 19s have yet to win a game in this season Youth League with their only point coming in a draw with Valencia u19s. 
 
They are bottom of the table and face an uphill battle today as they take on Ajax u19 who have won both of the opening fixtures and top the table.  
Team news 
 
 
For those of you wanting to watch the must win clash between Chelsea u19s and Ajax u19s, here are the details: 
 
Kick off at 1pm
Chelsea's youth sides have been relatively famous for their impressive displays and volume of wins with more than a few academy graduates now making the first team under Frank Lampard.
 
Before their defeat to Porto u19s in April this year they hadn't lost in eight games but since then they have failed to win.
 
Today's game is a big one if they hope to turn that form around and qualify for the knockout stages. 
Ajax u19s look as though they'll set themselves up in a 4-3-3 formation with Rasmussen, Dostanic and Tasci leading the line.
 
It's a slightly different set up for Chelsea u19s as they elect for a 3-4-3 formation in the hopes of controlling the midfield and utilising the wide men going forward.
 
Lawrence on the left and Lamptey on the right could be the difference needed for the Blues to secure the three points. 
The game will be played at the Sportpark De Toekomst, a sports park in Ouder-Amstel close to the Johan Cruyff Arena where the Champions League clash will take place later today.
 
The complex comprises nine football fields and its main field has seating capacity for 2,000 people.
 

Chelsea u19s defender Tariq Lamptey is hoping to get the Blues’ UEFA Youth League campaign rolling with a win today.

"We’ve had a good start in the league and we’re just looking to build on that momentum," he said.

"It was a good win against Arsenal on Friday and the boys have been training well and everyone’s buying into what the coaches have to say and trying to implement it on the pitch so that when it comes to Ajax on Wednesday we can get the best result.

"If we had lost the game and hadn’t played as well as we did or create as many chances as we did then I think we would be more disappointed with ourselves – but we created those chances and dominated the game, it was just those final bits that were missing. The chances we created gives us confidence." 

 

 

The ten minute countdown to kick off is underway. Can Chelsea's youth side get their UEFA Youth League season back on track?
The team go through the pre-match ceremonies, including a group picture and the toss of the coin to determine the ends. 
 
Kick off is next...
KICK OFF
Ajax u19s 0 - 0 Chelsea u19s
 
Kick off: Chelsea, wearing their black away kit, kick off the match. They are playing from left to right and take hold of the ball. A few passes around the defence allows them to slowly build before a ball down the right wins them a throw in.
GOAL!
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s - Ballo
 
2 mins: GOAL! Chelsea win the first corner of the game. The ball is delivered into the six yard box and Ballo raises above everyone and heads the ball into the back of the net.
 
What a start!
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
6 mins: This is pretty much a must win game for Chelsea and they've gotten off to the best possible start. It was a well delivered corner and finish but the defending from Ajax was quite poor and they've been punished for it. 
 
Ajax are getting into the game with some lovely passes around the middle of the pitch, Tasci keeps the ball alive on the left wing before a poor pass allows Broja to break. Musampa defends well and wins the ball.
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
9 mins: Rasmussen puts Ajax's first corner into the box, it comes in low and beats everyone but in their effort to clear the ball Chelsea give away a free kick on the right. The free kick comes into the box and some good teamwork from Chelsea's centre backs gets the ball away. 
 
Dostanic has Ajax's best chance so far as Tasci gets in behind and slots the ball into the box. Dostanic hits it first time but misses the target. 
YELLOW CARD
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
12 mins: Frei wins another corner for Ajax. Since the goal it has been all the home side. Rasmussen delivers it again but it is headed away, again.
 
Douglas slides in Lamptey and is booked for a poor challenge.
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
15 mins: Chelsea finally win the ball and can build another attack. Ajax aren't pressing as high as they have been. 
 
Ballo is sent down the right wing to run onto the ball, he does so and crosses it into the box. It's a decent cross but no one in black can get there to direct it goalwards.
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
18 mins: Chelsea win a free kick in their own half and play the ball backwards. A long ball forward from Guehi comes to Lawrence and he keeps it in play before losing it.
YELLOW CARD
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
21 mins: Simons tries to find Lamptey with a ball out to the right wing but the pass is too heavy and the ball goes out for a goal kick. 
 
Ballo is late with a challenge on Musampa and goes in the book.
Ajax u19s 0 - 1 Chelsea u19s
 
24 mins: Chelsea have done well to keep a lid on Ajax over the last ten minutes. Guehi tries another long ball for Lawrence but the Chelsea winger isn't able to catch up to the ball. 

Match preview:

When is it?

Kick-off is at 5:55pm BST on Wednesday 23rd October.

How can I watch it?

The match will be broadcast on BT Sport 3, with coverage beginning at 5:15pm.

Subscribers to BT Sport can watch the game online or on mobile via the BT Sport player and BT Sport app.

Team news

N’golo Kante and Ross Barkley have been ruled out of the fixture, however, Callum Hudson-Odoi is in line to make his first Champions League start. Starlet Billy Gilmour has also travelled to Amsterdam.

Ajax have no fresh concerns, however, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar may drop out of the starting eleven that defeated RKC Waalwijk on the weekend. Nico Tagliafico returns from suspension.

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