It’s a crucial night for Premier League clubs Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League action, each chasing vital points in their third group fixtures.
Chelsea vs Ajax
It’s been a torrid campaign for Ajax so far, with manager John Heitinga under increasing pressure. The Dutch giants have failed to score or earn a point in their first two Champions League games — losing 2-0 to Inter and 4-0 to Marseille — and suffered another 2-0 home defeat to AZ Alkmaar last weekend.
Striker Wout Weghorst is expected to lead the line as Ajax search for their first win in 11 matches against English opposition, dating back to the 2018/19 semi-final first leg against Spurs.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have recovered well from their early-season wobble. Under Enzo Maresca, the Blues have beaten Liverpool and Nottingham Forest this month, climbing to fifth in the Premier League despite multiple injuries to key players like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernández.
After losing to Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener, Chelsea bounced back to edge Benfica, denying José Mourinho a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool
Defending Premier League champions Liverpool are desperate to stop the slide. What started as a dominant season has turned into a crisis — Arne Slot’s side are staring at the possibility of a fifth straight defeat, something the club has not suffered since 1953.
Liverpool’s Champions League campaign began with a late win over Atletico Madrid, but since then, form has dipped sharply.
Their opponents, Eintracht Frankfurt, have been unpredictable — hammering Galatasaray 5-1 in their group opener before losing 5-1 to Atletico Madrid.
With every Frankfurt match this season featuring at least three goals, fans can expect another high-scoring affair.
Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike faces his former club, while midfielder Ryan Gravenberch misses out through an ankle injury sustained in Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United.
Monaco vs Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur continue to rely on away form as their home struggles persist. Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa extended their poor record in North London, though their performances on the road have kept them sixth in the Premier League.
Monaco enter the fixture under new boss Sébastien Pocognoli, who replaced Adi Hütter during the international break.
His debut ended in a 1-1 draw with Angers, leaving Monaco winless in four games and still searching for their first clean sheet of the season.
Former Spurs defender Eric Dier, who joined Monaco in the summer, misses the reunion through injury, while Spurs remain without Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie in defence.
Wednesday’s Fixtures:
Chelsea vs Ajax
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Liverpool
Monaco vs Tottenham Hotspur
Real Madrid vs Juventus
Atletico Club vs Qarabag
Sporting vs Marseille
Bayern Munich vs Club Brugge
Atalanta vs Slavia Prague
Galatasaray vs Bodo/ Glimt
