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Ipswich Town vs Chelsea prediction, odds, tips and team news

Ipswich Town vs Chelsea prediction, stats, tips and team news

Ipswich Town vs Chelsea

Ipswich Town and Chelsea go head-to-head in the Premier League on Monday, December 30th, at 7:45pm (UK time). A win for Chelsea would see Enzo Maresca’s side return to second in the standings, while a much-needed win for Ipswich would see them leapfrog Leicester into 18th. 

Cole Palmer to Score Anytime (1/1 with Sky Bet)

Cole Palmer needs no introduction after his form over the last 18 months. One of the most enjoyable players in world football to watch, Palmer netted 22 goals in 34 appearances last season. This term, he could eclipse that total after 12 in 18 games already for the Blues. It may seem an obvious selection to back him to score anytime at Ipswich, but in his last seven games against promoted sides, he has been involved in 11 goals, scoring seven and providing four assists. 

Sam Morsy & Liam Delap to be Carded (10/1 with bet365)

Sam Morsy returns from suspension for Ipswich on Monday and he’s the first player in this 10/1 cards double. The midfielder was shown a whopping 14 league yellows last season for the Tractor Boys. After five already this term, he looks like a solid proposition to find his way into the book against one of the most potent attacks in the Premier League. 

Liam Delap is the other player I’m targeting to find his way into the referee’s notebook. Only Joelinton, Joao Gomes and Moises Caicedo have committed more fouls than Delap this season. The 21-year-old has five cautions to his name for Ipswich in the Premier League and after two in his last three outings, I fancy another against Chelsea.

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How both teams go into Ipswich Town vs Chelsea

Ipswich have lost five of their last six Premier League matches and sit 19th in the table, having collected 12 points from 18 matches. There is no denying that the Tractor Boys face an uphill struggle to stay in the division, but they did put in a very respectable showing in their 1-0 away defeat to Arsenal last time out.

Chelsea’s eight-game winning streak ended just before Christmas as they played out a goalless draw at Goodison Park. They then suffered a 2-1 home defeat to West London rivals Fulham on Boxing Day with the Cottagers scoring a 96th minute winner. Chelsea sit fourth in the table on 35 points as we approach the half-way stage of the campaign.

Ipswich Town team news

Chiedozie Ogbene remains sidelined with a long-term injury. George Hirst and Axel Tuanzebe are also out, while Massimo Luongo faces a late fitness test. 

Chelsea team news

Enzo Maresca may rotate his team for this clash with no Europa Conference Fixtures until February. Wesley Fofana, Reece James, and Benoit Badiashile are all ruled out. Mykhalo Mudryk is suspended, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a doubt.

Ipswich Town vs Chelsea head-to-head

This will be the first league meeting between these sides since April 2002. However, they have met in the FA Cup third round twice since then, with Chelsea winning 3-1 in January 2009 and 7-0 in January 2011 — Frank Lampard scoring three times across those two games combined.

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