Ipswich vs Chelsea Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Ipswich Town put in a hard-fought but ultimately underwhelming display against Arsenal at the weekend as the Tractor Boys now welcome possible title challengers Chelsea to Portman Road.

Kick-off date/time: Monday 30th December, 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock

Ipswich Preview: Tractor Boys need to motor

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town have propelled themselves from League One to the Premier League in the last two years and the Tractor Boys remain competitive in the top-flight but the gap could widen with Wolverhampton Wanderers discovering some form.

Since defeating the aforementioned Wolves by two goals to one at Molineux the other day, Ipswich have suffered back-to-back losses with an open display being punished by four goals to nil against Newcastle United and then a slender 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Chelsea Preview: A festive stumble

Chelsea were rampant only a couple of weeks ago as Enzo Maresca’s surprisingly cohesive and organised side were pushing for the title but they now begin the match day sitting seven points adrift of Liverpool at the top-of-the-table due to an underwhelming festive period thus month.

Last weekend, the Blues travelled to Goodison Park and were held to a goalless draw by Sean Dyche’s stubborn Everton side. That was then followed up by a dramatic 2-1 defeat in the west London derby against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day.

Ipswich Team News: Luongo ill

Liam Delap returned from suspension to face Arsenal and club captain Samy Morsy has now returned from suspension to face Chelsea. Ipswich do remain without other key men such as Chiedozie Ogbene, George Hirst and Axel Tuanzebe due to injury.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Muric; Johnson, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Burns, Hutchinson, Szmodics; Delap

Unavailable: Donacien (Injured), Tuanzebe (Injured), Ogbene (Injured), Hirst (Injured)

Questionable: Luongo (Illness)

Chelsea Team News: Madueke and Veiga potential absentees

Enzo Maresca confirmed that the absence of Noni Madueke and Renato Veiga from the Boxing Day squad was due to ‘technical’ reasons so they could return and Romeo Lavia and Reece James have returned to training but also weren’t ready for the clash with Fulham.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson

Unavailable: Fofana (Injured), Badiashile (Injured), Dewsbury-Hall (Injured), Mudryk (Disciplinary), Kellyman (Injured)

Questionable: James (Fitness), Lavia (Fitness), Chukwuemeka (Injured)

Ipswich vs Chelsea Prediction

Ipswich Town have said and acted upon the notion that they would take the game to anyone they play but after being hammered by Newcastle, there was a switch in system and a switch to a more safety first approach. However, back in Suffolk, they will be expected to get on the front foot against a Chelsea side that perhaps have their weakest spots at the back so an entertaining game is once again expected with Chelsea likely to come out on top and get back to winning ways.

Ipswich vs Chelsea Tip: Chelsea to win & over 2.5 goals