Football
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Portman Road welcomes Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea on the cusp of the New Year. The hosts will know they face a tough opponent here, but for the Blues these are the sorts of games they need to win. They are keeping pace with Liverpool at the summit, but this busy festive period cannot be their undoing. SportsBoom offers an Ipswich vs Chelsea prediction alongside some Premier League betting angles and strategies for your consideration. Let’s close out the year in style then!
Christopher Nkunku//Getty Images
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability – Chelsea Set to Dominate
Home: 26/5 (6.2) – 15%
Draw: 21/5 (5.2) – 18%
Away: 9/20 (1.45) – 67%
Head-To-Head Record
This is the first time Ipswich will host the Blues in the league since 2002. That game fizzled out to a goalless draw, but the hosts have never beaten Chelsea in their history.
Ipswich Current Form – LLLWL
Ipswich have struggled this season. That is unfortunately their reality in the Premier League at the moment.
At the start of the season they had many admirers, the football they played was brave and expansive, Kieran McKenna had garnered the attention of many and there seemed to be hope and belief at Portman Road.
Unfortunately, that just hasn’t materialized for the Tractor Boys. They are yet to win at home, they can’t seem to keep a clean sheet for jam and given the competitive nature of the Premier League, they are beginning to flirt with relegation certainty.
It really is difficult to see how things change for Ipswich, which for the most part is a shame. Pretty much every reliable football betting sportsbook has them priced up to face the drop – which might become more of a banker as we head into the new year!
Key Players to Watch
- Wes Burns : The Welsh forward has struggled to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him when he joined Ipswich in the summer of 2021. A creative and pacey player who has blown hot and cold in the Premier League, Ipswich will be hopeful that he continues to settle and shows the talent they know he is capable of.
- Sam Morsy: A player who continues to employ an aggressive and unapologetic approach to his midfield duties – Morsy is often at the heart of Ipswich midfield battles becoming gritty and uncomfortable with their opponents. He is a strong player who Ipswich will continue to rely on.
- Liam Delap: Delap was sidelined due to injury and then disciplinary points and his presence has been sorely missed by Ipswich. The Tractor Boys will be hopeful he slots back into the starting XI here, he has been prolific in front of goal and spearheads all their attacks.
Ipswich Team News
Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring injury), Chiedozie Ogbene (leg injury), George Hirst (knee injury), and Janoi Donacien (leg injury) are not available to Kieran McKenna for this match.
Chelsea Current Form – WLLWW
Chelsea would have been frustrated with their recent performances, but even so, you cannot back against the Blues with the confidence they exude at the moment. They are playing brilliant football at the moment, whether they are at the Bridge or not.
Cole Palmer – yes, we are talking about him again – has gone through some really hot streaks this season and also some quieter ones. That once again illustrates where this team is at right now.
They are not solely reliant on their talisman performing, and yet when he does it only adds to their attacking prowess.
Key Players to Watch
- Noni Madueke: He has been in scintillating form. He struggled to take advantage of an opportunity but once he got onto the field, he has made the right-wing position his own. There is a question mark over whether he will retain his place once Pedro Neto returns, but he continues to silence his critics and has shown an incredible attacking niche.
- Christopher Nkunku: Nkunku has settled into his role at Chelsea admirably, he plays second string to Nicholas Jackson but every time he has been given an opportunity he seems to take it. If he is able to transfer his European form to the Premier League, Chelsea have a special player here.
- Levi Colwill: A young centre-back at the heart of Chelsea’s defence. He has struggled with aerial defending – which you think will be the route Ipswich take – but his physical presence has been outstanding. He has enjoyed the battle that the league presents, and he could be important for the visitors here.
Chelsea Team News
Ben Chilwell (virus), Benoit Badiashile (muscle injury) Mykhailo Mudryk (personal injury), Reece James (hamstring injury), Romeo Lavia (muscle injury), and Wesley Fofana (hamstring injury) are a doubt.
Predicted Line-Up
Ipswich: 4-2-3-1
Muric, Davis, Burgess, O’Shea, Clarke, Cajuste, Morsy, Szmodics, Hutchinson, Burns, Delap
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1
Sanchez, Gusto, Colwill, Adarabioyo, Disasi, Enzo, Caicedo, Sancho, Palmer, Madueke, Jackson
Suggested Bets
Our sports betting strategies and suggested bets for this encounter are outlined below.
Chelsea to Win: Chelsea are playing brilliant football at the moment; their quality is without question, and we can’t see past the Blues claiming all three points here. 9/20 (1.45) with Pinnacle and Betway
Chelsea to Win to Nil: We are backing Enzo Maresca’s team to claim the win and to do so without conceding a goal. Their defensive record this season has been impressive, but more so it's Ipswich’s inability to find the back of the net that allows us to make this bet. 39/20 (2.95) with 1xBet and Pinnacle.
BTTS (No): Given the value of both teams not scoring, backing both teams to score (no) at 27/20 (2.35) with 1xBet and Pinnacle.
Value Bets
Goal Range (4-5): The attacking quality at Chelsea is unquestioned, coupled with Ipswich’s defensive frailty we expect the Blues to run riot at Portman Road. There is plenty of value then backing a goal range of between 4-5. 39/20 (2.95) with 1xBet and Pinnacle.
Christopher Nkunku: There is a lot of value backing Nkunku to find the back of the net. He deserves a chance to start, but even if he comes off the bench, we think he is primed for success here. 48/10 (5.8) with 1xBet and Pinnacle.
1st Half – Chelsea: Chelsea to win the 1st half is at incredible value. You can get 9/10 (1.9) with 1xBet and Pinnacle about the Blues winning the first half!
Prediction: Chelsea Win to Nil
Chelsea to win is a set bet. Their ability going forward is devastating, but defensively they are becoming more and more secure. We have said it before and we’ll say it again, they are in a title race and so these games are the ones they simply need to win. For more value, we are backing the Blues to win without conceding, and we suggest you follow suit.
Ryan Liberty is an experienced sports writer whose articles have featured in some of the biggest sports publications in South Africa. With a strong understanding of all major sports and an in-depth understanding of betting, Ryan consistently delivers insightful content. He's also known for his ability to break down complex topics into engaging, reader-friendly pieces.
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