Chelsea to face tough Ajax test in Champions League

Chelsea were yesterday drawn to face Ajax in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League next month. Here is Telegraph Sport’s verdict on the four two-leg ties, which will be played on March 19-20 and 27-28:

QF1: SK Brann v Barcelona

Managed by former Manchester United assistant coach Martin Ho, SK Brann have upset the odds to

reach the knockout stages in their debut campaign. Barcelona are the Continent’s finest side on the ball and, with players such as Ballon d’or winner Aitana Bonmati and England duo Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, should get through to set up a possible semi-final showdown with Chelsea.

Verdict Barcelona

QF2: Benfica v Lyon

The Portuguese did well to pip Eintracht Frankfurt into second spot in Group A, as well as earning a barmy

4-4 draw with Barcelona at the end of the group stage, but theoretically their run should end at the hands of the record eight-time champions. Verdict Lyon

QF3: Ajax v Chelsea

This will not be easy for Chelsea, against a side who came through by far the most competitive of the four groups. Under head coach Suzanne Bakker, who, like Chelsea’s Emma Hayes, is leaving at the end of the season, Ajax have been building in front of partisan crowds at Johan

Cruyff Arena. However, Chelsea will be the favourites and, with the second leg at home, should have the squad depth to get the job done. Verdict Chelsea

QF4: BK Hacken v PSG

This might be the tie with the best chance of an upset, as Swedish side BK Hacken performed superbly to essentially eliminate Real Madrid and Paris FC in their group. However, it would still be foolish to bet against Paris St-germain.

PSG