Chelsea head to Portman Road Monday night for a crucial encounter against Ipswich Town, with both teams desperate for points for vastly different reasons. The Blues aim to bounce back from recent disappointments to solidify their position among the league's top teams, while the hosts battle to climb out of the relegation zone in their final match of 2024.
Chelsea searching for stability after recent setbacks
The Blues' holiday season has been far from festive, with a goalless stalemate at Everton followed by a painful 2-1 home loss to Fulham - their first defeat to their London rivals at Stamford Bridge since 1979. Manager Enzo Maresca must now rally his troops to prevent a third consecutive winless game, something they haven't experienced since September 2023.
The injury crisis continues to plague Chelsea's defence, with key players Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, and Ben Chilwell watching from the sidelines. The attack also took a hit with Mykhailo Mudryk's unavailability due to a failed drugs test. However, Cole Palmer remains the team's silver lining, having netted an impressive 12 goals against 15 different opponents this season.
Ipswich Town's fight for survival
The Tractor Boys find themselves in dire straits, sitting 19th in the table and three points from safety. Their December form has been concerning, with five losses in six matches, their only victory coming against Wolves. Their most recent setback, a 1-0 loss to Arsenal, highlighted their offensive struggles, managing a mere 0.15 xG.
Captain Sam Morsy's return from suspension brings fresh hope to the midfield, though injuries to Axel Tuanzebe and Chiedozie Ogbene continue to limit manager Kieran McKenna's options. Former Chelsea youth product Omari Hutchinson might prove crucial for Ipswich, having shown promise earlier this season against Manchester United.
Predicted lineup for Chelsea
Maresca looks set to field a strong starting eleven despite the injury concerns:
Sánchez, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernández, Madueke, Palmer, Félix, Nkunku.
While Ipswich will look to end the year with a spirited performance, Chelsea’s depth and quality make them clear favorites. With their sights set on reclaiming their winning form, the Blues will enter this match determined to take all three points. Final prediction: Ipswich Town 0-3 Chelsea.