Chelsea have won 11 of their last 17 meetings with Ipswich, losing just once, albeit the Blues have failed to claim victory during any of their last six visits to Portman Road, excluding a penalty shootout success, dating back to a 3-2 win in the Zenith Data Systems Cup almost 35 years ago.
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Preview
After back-to-back disappointing results either side of Christmas, Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways as they travel to Suffolk for the first time since 2002. On Boxing Day, despite taking an early lead through, who else, Cole Palmer, the Blues collapsed, conceding twice in the final eight minutes, thereby beaten by West London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge for the first time in over 45 years.
Four days earlier, Enzo Maresca's side had been held to a goalless draw by Everton at Goodison, with these two set-backs bringing the Blues' five-game winning streak to an abrupt halt, form that had many labelling them title contenders, much to Maresca's chagrin. Now though, Chelsea have slipped down to third, most-recently failing to win three successive Premier League games in September 2023, hence why they're desperate to leave Suffolk victorious.
Ipswich Town meantime kick off in the relegation zone albeit, considering exactly two years ago they were held to a 2-2 draw by Portsmouth in League One, their astronomical rise has to be put into some perspective. On Friday night, Kieran McKenna's team were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in North London, battling throughout but rarely threatening, as their xG figure of 0.15 underlines. The Tractor Boys have therefore now lost five of their last six, with that last-gasp win at Wolves the solitary highlight of an otherwise bleak December. Ipswich therefore remain rooted in 19th, albeit just three points from safety, so can they conclude 2024 by claiming a major scalp when Chelsea visit Portman Road on Monday night?
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 45.
- Ipswich Town Wins: 9. Draws: 10. Chelsea Wins: 26.
Ipswich Town Team News
Having served his one-match suspension at Arsenal, club captain Sam Morsy will return at the base of midfield, after Kalvin Phillips had deputised, starting for the first time since being sent off on 2 November. Kieran McKenna switched to a back five on Friday, doing so for the first time all season, so it'll be interesting to see if he sticks with that system, or reverts to a four. If the latter comes to fruition, Conor Chaplin will return to attack, with Luke Woolfenden the most-likely centre-back to drop out. Axel Tuanzebe, Cameron Burgess and Chiedozie Ogbene remain sidelined, while Omari Hutchinson will miss Sunday's trip to Craven Cottage if cautioned.
Ipswich Town predicted lineup vs Chelsea: (4-5-1): Muriç; Johnson, O'Shea, Greaves, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste, Hutchinson, Chaplin, Szmodics; Delap.
Ipswich Town Player to Watch vs Chelsea
Omari Hutchinson joined Chelsea from Arsenal in the summer of 2022 and, after making just two senior appearances for the Blues, totalling 49 minutes, was sold to Ipswich for £20 million; he is the Tractor Boys' star man so, having scored a screamer when Man United visited Portman Road, can he fire Ipswich to victory against his former, albeit only briefly, employers?
Chelsea Team News
Renato Veiga and Noni Madueke were left out of the matchday squad against Fulham, with Enzo Maresca describing this as “just a technical decision", stating both will be in contention to feature this time. In defence, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile and Ben Chilwell are all injured, meaning Tosin Adarabioyo will keep his place alongside Levi Colwill. Roméo Lavia is also sidelined, while Mykhailo Mudryk future is up in the air, following a failed drugs test. Thus, in summary, Maresca is actually expected to name an unchanged side, albeit he won't be able to do so again at Selhurst Park on Saturday if either goalkeeper Robert Sánchez or Nicolas Jackson are booked in Suffolk.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Ipswich Town: (4-3-3): Sánchez; Gusto, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernández, Neto, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Chelsea Player to Watch vs Ipswich Town
Cole Palmer bagged his 12th of the campaign on Boxing Day; he's scored against 15 different opponents in the Premier League so, set to face Ipswich for the first time, will the Tractor Boys be added to his list of victims?
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Prediction
We're forecasting a rather routine Chelsea victory at Portman Road. Ipswich have been struggling to compete at Premier League level in recent weeks, while the Blues, despite successive disappointing results, will surely be too strong for their struggling hosts: Ipswich Town 0-2 Chelsea.
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Premier League game on TV channel?
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network 3 Canada
How to watch Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Premier League game on live streaming?
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Ipswich Town vs Chelsea in the Premier League?
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea takes place on Monday 30 December 2024, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 14:45 (EDT) & 11:45 (PST).