Looking to boost their chances of earning a spot in the top five, Chelsea will welcome Championship-bound Ipswich Town to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues recorded a comfortable success in the Conference League on Thursday night, whilst the Tractor Boys have enjoyed a full week on the training pitch following domestic action last weekend.
Match preview
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The overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the campaign, Chelsea have taken another commanding step towards Conference League glory on Thursday night, when the travelling Londoners endured the hostile atmosphere in Poland to beat Legia Warsaw 3-0.
After a goalless first period, the Blues took complete control of the contest courtesy of a Tyrique George effort and a brilliant Noni Madueke brace, meaning that Enzo Maresca‘s troops are in a great position ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge against Legia.
Focusing on the Premier League, Sunday’s hosts Chelsea are well in the race for a return to the Champions League following a number of sobering campaigns outside of UEFA’s top-tier club competition, although there is still work to be done heading into the final seven matches of the term.
The Stamford Bridge side are currently occupying fourth spot in the Premier League standings ahead of this weekend’s clash with strugglers Ipswich, level on points with Newcastle United in fifth and just the single point ahead of current champions Manchester City in sixth.
Unsurprisingly, Cole Palmer remains as the leading light in attack for the Blues, netting 14 goals across 30 appearances in the Premier League this season, whilst also providing seven assists for teammates – proving that the Englishman is anything but a one-season wonder.
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Returning to the riches of the Premier League for the first time in two decades last summer, Ipswich Town appear all set for an immediate return to the struggles and stresses of the Championship, especially after a damaging defeat to a relegation rival last time out.
A shining light for the Tractor Boys amid a worsening bottom-three situation, Liam Delap fired his side ahead in East Anglia last weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers, however it was the Black Country outfit who enjoyed the last laugh, with Pablo Sarabia and Jorgen Strand Larsen finding the net for the visitors.
After the disappointing defeat to Wolves at Portman Road last time out, Kieran McKenna‘s men are on the verge of being confirmed as a second-tier club for the 2025-26 term, with Ipswich currently a mammoth 12 points behind Vitor Pereira‘s men in the lowest of the safe spots in the Premier League table.
Weirdly, the Tractor Boys have fared better on their top-tier travels this season compared to at their Portman Road base, with Ipswich collecting three of their four Premier League victories outside of East Anglia, including a 2-1 victory at Europe-chasing Bournemouth at the beginning of April.
Nevertheless, Ipswich are undoubtedly the underdogs for Sunday afternoon’s clash at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, where the visitors endured a woeful afternoon during the latest version of this fixture, with the Blues winning 7-0 in the third round of the FA Cup back in January 2011.
Team News
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Chelsea fans were sent into a state of panic after leading marksman Palmer was subbed off in Poland at half time, however head coach Maresca has since confirmed that the change was for tactical reasons rather than an injury.
With the talismanic Englishman set to retain his spot in the side this weekend, the likes of Jadon Sancho, Madueke and Christopher Nkunku will be left to fight for the remaining positions.
The Blues remain without the services of Marc Guiu (hamstring) and Romeo Lavia (physical discomfort), with the former a doubt to feature again this season.
Ipswich suffered an injury blow during the defeat to Wolves last weekend, when left-back Conor Townsend hobbled off during the final 10 minutes.
As a result, Tractor Boys boss McKenna might need to find a new solution on the left on his backline, meaning that Leif Davis could enter the visitors’ XI.
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Ipswich Town possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Burgess, Davis; Morsy, Cajuste, Johnson, Broadhead, Enciso; Delap
We say: Chelsea 2-0 Ipswich Town
Still in the heat of the race for a Champions League spot, Chelsea will be desperate to put Ipswich to the sword at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Tractor Boys are beginning to prepare for the Championship in the back of their minds and should be no match for the Blues in West London.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
