Chelsea vs Ipswich Town prediction, lineups, betting tips and odds
A high-stakes Premier League encounter awaits as Chelsea travel to Portman Road to face struggling Ipswich Town on Monday, December 30, 2024. This Matchday 19 fixture pits title-hunting Chelsea against an Ipswich side desperately fighting to escape the relegation zone. The Blues arrive with championship aspirations while the Tractor Boys seek their first home win of the season in what promises to be a compelling battle between teams at opposite ends of the table.
Match preview and team news
Form guide
Chelsea enter this fixture as legitimate title contenders despite recently dropping five points in their last two Premier League outings. Their L-D-W-W-W record still positions them among the elite, with their attacking prowess making them the third-highest scoring team in the league. Their recent performance against Fulham demonstrated both their offensive capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities.
In stark contrast, Ipswich Town’s Premier League return has been a struggle, evidenced by their L-L-W-L-L form. Currently languishing in 19th position, the Suffolk side has yet to secure a victory at Portman Road this season – a concerning statistic as they prepare to host one of England’s most formidable teams.
Injury updates
Chelsea will be without several key players, including Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Romeo Lavia, and Benoit Badiashile. Additionally, Mykhaylo Mudryk remains suspended following a failed drug test. These absences could impact Chelsea’s defensive solidity, potentially giving Ipswich a glimmer of hope.
For the hosts, Chiedozie Ogbene is unavailable while midfield anchor Massimo Luongo remains doubtful due to illness. Their recent clash against Brighton highlighted how crucial these players are to their system.
Predicted lineups and key players
Chelsea’s expected formation
| Chelsea (4-2-3-1) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanchez | ||||
| Gusto | Tosin | Colwill | Cucurella | |
| Caicedo | Fernandez | |||
| Neto | Palmer | Sancho | ||
| Jackson | ||||
Ipswich Town’s expected formation
Kieran McKenna will likely deploy a matching 4-2-3-1 system with either Muric or Walton in goal, protected by O’Shea, Woolfenden (or Burgess), Greaves, and Davis in defense. The midfield pairing of Morsy and Cajuste will aim to disrupt Chelsea’s rhythm, while Burns, Hutchinson, and Szmodics support Delap in attack.
Players to watch
Cole Palmer continues to shine for Chelsea with an impressive 12 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League, including 5 goals in his last 5 appearances. His vision and ability to cut through defenses make him the Blues’ most dangerous weapon. Palmer’s form echoes what we saw in Chelsea’s match against Bournemouth where he dominated proceedings.
For Ipswich, Liam Delap leads their attack with 6 goals and 1 assist this season. His clever off-the-ball movements and clinical finishing represent Ipswich’s best hope of breaching Chelsea’s defense.
Head-to-head analysis
Historical data heavily favors Chelsea in this fixture, with the Blues winning 4 of their 6 total encounters while the remaining 2 ended in draws. Notably, Chelsea haven’t lost their final league game in any of the last 12 calendar years – an ominous statistic for Ipswich fans.
The Tractor Boys’ record makes for grim reading, having won just one of their last 14 league games against Chelsea. Matches between these sides typically produce goals, averaging almost four per game.
- Chelsea unbeaten in last 6 meetings
- Ipswich seeking first win against Chelsea since 2011
Betting tips and match prediction
Odds overview
| Betting Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Chelsea to win | 4/9 |
| Chelsea clean sheet win | 7/4 |
| Palmer anytime scorer | 1/1 |
| Match result | Chelsea -260 / Draw +380 / Ipswich +650 |
Recommended bets
- Chelsea to win and over 2.5 goals looks compelling given Ipswich’s defensive frailties
- Cole Palmer to score first represents value at current odds
Match prediction
Despite their inconsistent form, Chelsea should have too much quality for an Ipswich side struggling to find their Premier League footing. Expect the visitors to control possession and create numerous chances against the league’s second-leakiest defense. The predicted scoreline is Ipswich Town 0-2 Chelsea, with similar patterns to recent Premier League matches where established teams overcome promoted sides.
UK viewers can catch the action on Sky Sports, while US audiences can tune in via NBC Sports or Peacock. Indian fans can watch on Star Sports Network or Disney+ Hotstar.
