After a commanding 3-0 win away to Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, Chelsea return to Premier League action with their eyes firmly set on UEFA Champions League qualification.
Sitting sixth on goal difference ahead of Newcastle, Enzo Maresca’s men know there’s no margin for error, especially against a struggling Ipswich Town side that looks destined for a swift return to the Championship.
With the first leg of their European quarter-final already in the bag, Chelsea could afford to deploy a full-strength XI for this clash at Stamford Bridge.
Given their historical dominance over Ipswich at home and the visitors’ freefall in form, the Blues will expect to take all three points and tighten their grip on the top four.
Form & Context :
Chelsea :
- Unbeaten in their last eight home league games against Ipswich (W6, D2) since 1979.
- Riding high on confidence after six consecutive wins at Stamford Bridge in all competitions.
- Maresca’s side has shown growing consistency in the league, and the fixture list suggests they must capitalise on games like this with tougher matches looming.
Ipswich Town :
- After a brief flicker of hope following their 2-0 win over Chelsea at Portman Road in December, the Tractor Boys have collapsed, with just one win in their last 12 Premier League games (D2, L9).
- Their 2-1 loss to relegation rivals Wolves widened the gap to safety to 12 points, and manager Kieran McKenna has now admitted that survival is unlikely.
- Ipswich are playing for pride, with history on the line completing the league double over Chelsea would be a rare feat, last achieved in the 1978/79 season.
Tactical Outlook :
Chelsea
- Expect Chelsea to dominate possession, with overlapping full-backs and a high press designed to overwhelm Ipswich early.
- Noni Madueke, fresh off a brace in Warsaw, should retain his place in attack. His trickery and form in front of goal have become crucial in unlocking tight defenses.
- The return of key midfielders like Enzo Fernández adds both control and goalscoring threat from deeper areas.
Ipswich Town :
- Likely to sit deep in a compact shape, looking to frustrate Chelsea and break on the counter using the pace of Liam Delap.
- Defensive discipline will be critical, but a side lacking confidence and conceding frequently could struggle to contain Chelsea’s fluid attack.
- Set-pieces and second balls may be Ipswich’s best chance to nick a goal, but they must avoid being pinned back too deep.
Players to Watch :
- Noni Madueke (Chelsea): His brace on Thursday highlighted his growing confidence. Chelsea are unbeaten in four of the five league games he’s scored in this season (W3, D1).
- Liam Delap (Ipswich): Despite the team’s struggles, Delap has notched 12 goals in the Premier League one of the few bright spots for the Tractor Boys, and a threat Chelsea can’t ignore.
Potential Lineups:
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 – Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.
Ipswich: 4-2-3-1 – Palmer; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Burgess, Townsend; Morsy, Cajuste; Johnson, Broadhead, Enciso; Delap.
Key Stats
- Chelsea are unbeaten in eight home league games vs Ipswich since 1979.
- Ipswich are winless in 11 of their last 12 Premier League fixtures.
- Chelsea have scored 2+ goals in each of their last six home wins.
- Ipswich have conceded 23 goals in their last nine league games.
Where to watch:
United Kingdom: The game will not be shown live in the UK
United States: Peacock
Canada: Fubo TV
India: JioHotstar
Australia: Optus Sport.
Nigeria: SuperSports.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Ipswich Town
Prediction :
Chelsea’s motivation to secure Champions League football, combined with Ipswich’s woeful form, makes this feel like a mismatch on paper.
The Blues are flying at home and now have the firepower to punish defensive lapses. While Ipswich may be inspired by their earlier season victory, replicating that feat at Stamford Bridge looks unlikely.
