Venue: Portman Road
Date: December 29, 2024
Competition: Premier League
As the Premier League season reaches its halfway point, Ipswich Town face a daunting task as they welcome a Chelsea side eager to bounce back from their Boxing Day disappointment.
For the Tractor Boys, who fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Arsenal on Friday, this marks yet another clash against one of the division’s heavyweights, leaving them with little time to regroup.
Ipswich’s struggles :
It has been a season of toil for Ipswich, who find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone heading into this clash.
Their 1-0 loss to Arsenal was a reflection of their broader struggles, as they’ve lost five of their last six league games (W1), failing to score in four of those defeats.
The lack of goals has been a persistent problem, with Liam Delap’s six strikes accounting for 38% of their league total.
Portman Road has offered little solace for Ipswich fans, as the Tractor Boys remain winless at home in league action this season (D4, L5).
A failure to secure victory here would see them join an unenviable list of teams who have gone winless in their first ten home games of a Premier League campaign, a fate often accompanied by relegation.
Chelsea’s redemption mission :
Chelsea will arrive at Portman Road stinging from a rare setback.
Their 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Boxing Day marked the first time since 1999 they’d lost a Premier League game after leading as late as the 82nd minute.
Despite this disappointment, the Blues are guaranteed to end the year in the top four, reflecting a strong campaign under Enzo Maresca.
The Italian manager has downplayed talk of a title challenge, but his side’s away form suggests they could remain in the mix.
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 away league fixtures (W8, D3), with that sole defeat coming at the hands of leaders Liverpool.
Their historical record at Portman Road is also favorable, having lost only once in their last nine visits (W4, D4).
Tactical Insights ;
Ipswich: The hosts will rely heavily on Liam Delap for attacking inspiration.
A reported transfer target for Chelsea, Delap has shown a knack for early goals, with half of his six strikes this season coming before the 20th minute.
Manager Kieran McKenna will hope his side can capitalize on set-pieces and counter-attacking opportunities against Chelsea’s high press.
Chelsea: Chelsea’s response to setbacks has been a hallmark of their season.
Marc Cucurella has been particularly influential in recent weeks, directly contributing to three goals in his last four appearances (G2, A1).
His ability to drive forward from wing-back and deliver quality into the box could be pivotal in breaking down Ipswich’s deep defensive lines.
Players to Watch :
– Ipswich: Liam Delap
With six goals to his name, the young striker remains Ipswich’s most potent threat.
Facing a manager in Enzo Maresca who knows him well from their time at Manchester City, Delap will be eager to prove his worth.
– Chelsea: Marc Cucurella
The Spanish wing-back has been a revelation recently, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair.
His ability to influence the game at both ends of the pitch makes him a key figure in Maresca’s plans.
Potential Lineups:
Ipswich: 4-2-3-1 – Muric; O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis; Philips, Cajuste; Johnson, Hutchinson, Szmodics; Delap
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1 1 Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Nkunku
Key Stats ;
– Ipswich are one of only five teams in Premier League history to remain winless in their first nine home games of a season.
– Chelsea have lost just once in their last 12 away league fixtures (W8, D3).
– The Blues are unbeaten in their final league game of the year since 2011 (W8, D4).
– Liam Delap has scored 38% of Ipswich’s league goals this term, with three arriving before the 20th minute.
Where to Watch:
United Kingdom: The game will not be shown live in the UK
United States: Peacock
Canada: Fubo Sports Network 3
India: Hotstar
Australia: Optus Sport
Nigeria: Supersports
Score Prediction: Ipswich 0-3 Chelsea
Conclusion :
Despite Ipswich’s resilience at times this season, Chelsea’s quality and depth should shine through.
The Tractor Boys’ winless run at home is unlikely to end against a side with Chelsea’s firepower, especially as the Blues look to respond to their Boxing Day setback.
