Ajax vs Chelsea Women

Women's Champions League

On Tuesday, Chelsea Women are set to journey to the Netherlands to face Ajax Women in the inaugural leg of their Women's Champions League last-16 clash.

Ajax Women are venturing into the knockout stages for the first time, having secured their berth by triumphing over Dinamo-BGU and Zurich in the qualifying rounds, thus becoming the first Dutch team to reach the Women's Champions League group stage.

They proceeded to advance from a challenging group, clinching the second quarter-final spot, behind Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference, after winning three and drawing one of their six group matches.

Suzanne Bakker's squad, buoyed by their recent string of victories, including a dominant 5-1 triumph over their reserve team in the KNVB Women's Cup, will be eager to establish an initial advantage on home turf against the reigning English champions.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, under the guidance of Emma Hayes, is striving for European glory before her impending departure at the season's end. Despite her domestic successes, Hayes is yet to secure the Champions League title. However, Chelsea enters this encounter after comfortably topping Group D, setting the stage for a quarter-final clash with Ajax.

With Chelsea's strong track record in quarter-final fixtures and the prospect of a potential semi-final showdown against Barcelona or Brann, they are positioned as favorites in this tie. However, Ajax's momentum and home advantage present a formidable challenge for the visiting Blues.

In terms of team news, Ajax will miss Ashleigh Weerden due to injury, while Sherida Spitse is suspended for the first leg. On the other side, Chelsea may be without several key players, including Millie Bright and Sam Kerr, with January signing Mayra Ramirez still uncertain due to injury. As the match approaches, both teams are expected to field competitive lineups:

Ajax Women possible starting lineup:

Van Eijk; De Klonia, Kardinaal, De Sanders, Keijzer; Noordam, Van Gool, Yohannes; Grant, T Hoekstra, Leuchter



Chelsea Women possible starting lineup:

Hampton; Perisset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Cuthbert, Leupolz; Rytting Kaneryd, Nusken, Reiten; James