Fresh from a surprise home defeat to Fulham, Chelsea will be targeting a quick return to winning ways as they travel to Ipswich Town for a Premier League match on Monday. The Blues have done well on their recent travels and should have the upper hand over the hosts, who are struggling at the moment.
Newly promoted Ipswich have looked out of their depth in the Premier League and are currently three points from safety. They have lost five times in their last six matches, including a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Friday.
Things are just as rough for Ipswich Town at home as they are winless in front of their fans all season. However, Kieran McKenna’s team have earned home draws against the likes of Fulham, Aston Villa and Manchester United and will hope to replicate some of those performances on Monday.
Chelsea travel to Portman Road off the back of a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham despite taking the lead through Cole Palmer. However, that was their first defeat in 13 matches in all competitions having earned nine wins in that run.
Manager Enzo Maresca will head into Monday’s clash with plenty of confidence as Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven away matches in all competitions. There have been five wins in that run while they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in five matches.
How the bookies view it: Smooth ride for Chelsea
Chelsea have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/5 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Ipswich Town are considered outsiders at 11/2 with BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 15/4 for a draw.
Head to head: Chelsea on top
Chelsea have a 19-9 advantage with 10 draws from 38 previous matches against Ipswich Town. However, the last meeting between both teams was an FA Cup fixture back in 2011, with the Blues running out 7-0 winners.
Players to watch: Eyes on Jackson
Nicolas Jackson has been guilty of missing chances in the last few matches and will be desperate to get back among the goals. The striker has nine Premier League goals so far and is priced at 5/4 by BoyleSports to get on the score sheet.
Ipswich like to play on the front foot and can cause Chelsea some problems in defence. Liam Delap has six Premier League goals this season and it could be worth keeping an eye on at 3/1 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Ipswich Town are still without Chiedozie Ogbene while Axel Tuanzebe and Geooge Hirst are also out injured. Delap should lead the line once again while captain Sam Morsey is available after serving a suspension at Arsenal.
Chelsea have injury problems with Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia all ruled out. Tosin Adarabioyo has caught the eye lately and should continue in defence while the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix should start from the bench once again.
Ipswich Town: Muric Johnson, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Hutchinson, Cajuste, Morsey, Szmodics, Delap
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Neto, Jackson
Anything else catch the eye?
There have been over 3.5 goals in three of Chelsea’s last four matches across all competitions and a repeat is priced at 11/10 with BoyleSports. The Blues have also scored in both halves in three of their last four away matches in the Premier League and a similar outcome is priced at 20/21 with BoyleSports.
Chelsea are expected to come out on top but concede, so a win and both teams to score can be considered at 8/5 with BoyleSports.
This English Premier League match between Ipswich Town and Chelsea will be played on Dec 30, 2024 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Ipswich Town vs Chelsea prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
