Chelsea travel to Ipswich for their final game of 2024 and you can find our preview, prediction, team news and predicted lineups below.
Ipswich vs Chelsea Preview
Chelsea have dropped five points in their last two games with a goalless draw at Everton followed by a shock 2-1 defeat to Fulham.
The Blues appeared to be heading towards victory when Fulham struck twice late on Boxing Day with goals from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz.
Liverpool’s 5-0 victory over West Ham means the Blues now have a ten-point gap to the Premier League leaders.
Meanwhile, Ipswich find themselves 19th in the Premier League after winning just two out of their opening 18 matches.
They are four points off safety after Wolves netted a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
Ipswich lost by just one goal to Arsenal on December 27 but never looked like scoring against the Gunners.
In Chelsea they face another dangerous challenge, with the Blues hopeful of returning to winning ways before the new year draws in.
Ipswich vs Chelsea Team News
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed he will rotate his side due to the busy Christmas schedule.
Nicolas Jackson is one player that could be rested while Noni Madueke and Christopher Nkunku are among those who could come in.
Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Benoit Badiashile are all set to miss out again along with the suspended Mykhailo Mudryk.
Enzo Maresca confirmed that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed the defeat by Fulham because of injury. There are also question marks over Romeo Lavia who has been recovering from a hamstring injury.
Ipswich captain Sam Morsy is available again after suspension and is set to come straight back in.
Massimo Luongo has been struggling with illness while George Hirst, Chiedozie Ogbene and Axel Tuanzebe remain on the sidelines.
Ipswich vs Chelsea Predicted Lineups
Ipswich: Muric; O’Shea, Greaves, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste; Chaplin, Hutchinson, Szmodics; Delap
Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Joao Felix; Nkunku
Ipswich vs Chelsea Prediction
Chelsea are heavy favourites on UK betting sites, which is no surprise given both sides’ respective positions in the league.
With that in mind, we expect the Blues will return to form in a convincing win for Enzo Maresca’s side on the road.
Prediction: Ipswich 0-3 Chelsea
