Chelsea and Ajax meet at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in a Champions League showdown that pits two historic European names on very different trajectories.
The Blues, contesting their 200th game in the competition, enter in red-hot form after three straight wins under Enzo Maresca, including a gritty 1-0 triumph over Benfica and back-to-back Premier League victories against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Unbeaten in their last 15 UCL home games, Chelsea look poised to continue their surge as Maresca’s men rediscover rhythm and resilience after a shaky September.
Ajax are in crisis. Johnny Heitinga’s side have lost both Champions League games, 2-0 to Inter and 4-0 to Marseille, without scoring. They’ve won just once in their last six matches. The defense looks lost, conceding at least twice in every recent outing. Stamford Bridge, once home to that wild 4-4 in 2019, could turn into a nightmare this time.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Chelsea vs. Ajax live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League match in the U.S.:
TV channel: –
Live stream: Paramount+
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the US. Streaming options are available on Paramount+, which offers a FREE trial to new subscribers.
What time does Chelsea vs. Ajax kick off?
This Champions League clash takes place at Stamford Bridge, London, England, and kicks off on Wednesday, October 22, at 8 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Wed, Oct. 22 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Wed, Oct. 22 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Wed, Oct. 22 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Wed. Oct. 22 | 12:00 p.m. |
Chelsea vs. Ajax lineups, team news
Chelsea 3-0 Premier League weekend win at Nottingham Forest meant the end of the road for Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days at the City Ground.
Maresca has already confirmed Cole Palmer will be sidelined for longer than expected due to a groin injury and the England international is not expected back until December.
Enzo Fernandez missed the Forest game after sustaining a knee injury on duty with Argentina and he is unlikely to be risked with such a short turnaround in between matches.
Malo Gusto’s red card against Forest means a domestic suspension for the Frenchman, but Joao Pedro is banned for one UCL game after his red card against Benfica, and Brazil star Estevao could start as a false No.9.
Chelsea predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Acheampong, Chalobah, Cucurella — Lavia, Caicedo — Neto, Santos, Garnacho — Estevao.
Injured: Colwill (ACL), Badiashile (muscle), Palmer (groin), Delap (thigh), Essugo (thigh), Fernandez (knee).
Suspended: Joao Pedro (one game), Mudryk (doping).
Heitinga rested some of his key names for the 2-0 weekend league defeat at home to rivals AZ Alkmaar and he is expected to recall Ko Itakura and Davy Klaassen.
Dutch international Steven Berghuis is ruled out with a knee problem and a late call will be made on the fitness of Owen Wijndal and Kasper Dolberg.
Ajax predicted starting XI (4-5-1, right to left): Jaros (GK) — Rosa, Itakura, Baas, Gaaei — Regeer, Klaassen, Gloukh, Taylor, Godts — Weghorst
Injured: Konadu (muscle), Wijndal (muscle, doubt), Dolberg (abdomen, doubt).
Suspended: None
Champions League fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Tuesday, October 21
- Barcelona vs. Olympiakos (12:45 p.m.)
- Kairat vs. Pafos (12:45 p.m.)
- Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid (3:00 p.m.)
- Bayer Leverkusen vs. Paris Saint-Germain (3:00 p.m.)
- Copenhagen vs. Borussia Dortmund (3:00 p.m.)
- Newcastle United vs. Benfica (3:00 p.m.)
- PSV vs. Napoli (3:00 p.m.)
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Inter Milan (3:00 p.m.)
- Villarreal vs. Manchester City (3:00 p.m.)
Wednesday, October 22
- Athletic Club vs. Qarabağ (12:45 p.m.)
- Galatasaray vs. Bodø/Glimt (12:45 p.m.)
- Atalanta vs. Slavia Prague (3:00 p.m.)
- Bayern Munich vs. Club Brugge (3:00 p.m.)
- Chelsea vs. Ajax (3:00 p.m.)
- Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Liverpool (3:00 p.m.)
- Monaco vs. Tottenham Hotspur (3:00 p.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Juventus (3:00 p.m.)
- Sporting CP vs. Marseille (3:00 p.m.)
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