This is a Chelsea Women predicted lineup for their Champions League clash with Ajax on March 19 at the Johan Cruyffe Arena. The Blues are coming into this one off the back of big wins over Manchester City and Arsenal in domestic competitions and will hope to get a strong win here to take into the second leg.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup vs Ajax Women
How Chelsea Women Have Lined Up Recently
Hannah Hampton is the number one option in goals thanks to her distribution skills, which were on display against the Citizens. In games where there’s more room for error Zećira Mušović has been the second choice thanks to her shot-stopping abilities. Defensively we have seen Niamh Charles, Jess Carter, Kadeisha Buchanan, Nathalie Björn, and Ève Périsset have all lined out as starters with Sjoeke Nüsken making a one-off surprise appearance at centre-back.
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The central midfield pairing of Erin Cuthbert and Melanie Leupolz has been the main choice either as the duo in a 4-4-2 or as the defensive midfield pairing in a 4-2-3-1. Sophie Ingle, Jelena Čanković, Guro Reiten, and Lauren James have filled the other spots depending on formation with Nüsken also making a one-off appearance as a CAM.
Čanković has also started up front alongside Mayra Ramirez with Fran Kirby, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, and Aggie Beever-Jones being an attacking trio for one recent outing. James also set out as the false nine against Arsenal.
Chelsea Women Recent Form and Tactics
Emma Hayes has utilised a 4-2-3-1 formation for most of the season but absences and injuries have recently forced some changes with a 4-4-2 being used against Manchester City and a 4-3-3 setup debuting in their last FA Cup tie. Results have been very positive with big wins over rivals in recent weeks and only two defeats in all competition in this campaign to their name.
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Defending has been the name of the game due to the striker shortage with only two goals conceded in the last six outings. That doesn’t mean they aren’t able to score however, as Hayes’ side put three past Arsenal and won their last Champions League fixture by four goals to nil.
Chelsea Women Injuries to Consider
Looking at the women who travelled for this tie it appears that the injury list is much the same as it was last week. Ann-Katrin Berger, Millie Bright, Björn, Maren Mjelde, Sam Kerr, Aniek Nouwen, and Mia Fishel are all presumably sidelined and unavailable. As reported by Tom Garry the only confirmation we got was on Ramirez who could be back for this weekend’s clash with West Ham.
Chelsea Women Predicted Lineup
GK – Hannah Hampton
LB – Niamh Charles
CB – Jess Carter
CB – Kadeisha Buchanan
RB – Ashley Lawrence
DM – Erin Cuthbert
DM – Melanie Leupolz
AM – Guro Reiten
AM – Sjoeke Nüsken
AM – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
ST – Lauren James
