Ipswich vs Chelsea Preview
- Chelsea to win
- Chelsea to score over 1.5 goals
Ipswich Town face another uphill battle as they host Chelsea at Portman Road on New Year’s Day.
Struggling to adapt to the rigours of top-flight football, the Tractor Boys are desperately searching for their first home league win of the season. Meanwhile, Chelsea will look to bounce back from their Boxing Day disappointment and finish 2024 on a high.
Ipswich Town: A Season of Struggles
Ipswich’s return to the Premier League has been anything but smooth, with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal on Friday extending their poor run of five defeats in six league matches (W1).
Scoring has been a significant issue for the Tractor Boys, failing to find the net in four of those losses.
Their home record is particularly concerning, as they remain winless at Portman Road (D4, L5) and risk becoming only the fifth side in Premier League history to go winless in their first ten home games.
While three of the previous four sides to do so were relegated, Ipswich will hope to emulate Brighton, who defied the odds to finish 16th in 2016/17.
Key Player: Liam Delap
Responsible for 38% of Ipswich’s league goals this season (six), Delap has been a bright spot in an otherwise bleak campaign. Three of his goals have come inside the opening 20 minutes, making him a key early threat.
Chelsea: Bouncing Back
Chelsea’s 2-1 Boxing Day defeat to Fulham was a rare slip in what has otherwise been a solid campaign. Leading as late as the 82nd minute, the Blues’ inability to close out the game was uncharacteristic, marking their first such loss in the Premier League since 1999.
Despite this setback, Chelsea remain in the top-four and are unbeaten in their final league game of the year since 2011 (W8, D4).
Manager Enzo Maresca continues to downplay title talk, but the Blues’ record of just one loss in their last 12 away league matches (W8, D3) suggests they remain genuine contenders.
Key Player: Marc Cucurella
Cucurella’s resurgence has been notable, with the wing-back contributing to three goals across his last four matches in all competitions (G2, A1). His creativity from wide areas could be pivotal against Ipswich’s struggling defence.
Tactical Battle
- Ipswich’s Approach:
Kieran McKenna will likely set up his side to frustrate Chelsea with a defensive approach, looking to counter through Delap’s pace and movement. Breaking down Chelsea’s defence early will be crucial to their chances. - Chelsea’s Approach:
Chelsea will dominate possession and look to exploit Ipswich’s defensive frailties, with Maresca’s side relying on overlapping full-backs and incisive passing to break through. Cucurella and Reece James will play key roles in creating width and stretching the opposition.
What’s at Stake?
- Ipswich Town: A win would finally break their home hoodoo and provide a morale boost as they battle to escape the relegation zone.
- Chelsea: Victory would keep them in touch with the top two and ensure they enter 2025 on a positive note.
Head-to-Head Insights
- Ipswich are winless at home this season (D4, L5).
- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 away league matches (W8, D3).
- Chelsea 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.
Prediction
While Ipswich’s desperation for a home win will fuel their fight, Chelsea’s superior quality and form make them clear favourites. Expect the visitors to dominate possession and find a way through Ipswich’s defensive setup, with their attacking options proving too strong.
Prediction: Ipswich 0-2 Chelsea
This match presents contrasting objectives as Ipswich aim to halt their freefall and Chelsea look to stay within reach of the Premier League summit. Can Ipswich finally break their home curse, or will Chelsea show their class? Fans at Portman Road are in for a compelling encounter.
For more info on this game, you may also visit:
Ipswich v Chelsea, 2024/25 | Premier League