You know a transfer window is coming when all the talk pre-match is about the opposition player having an audition to join you next season. The player is Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who has been heavily rumored this week to join the Blues in the near future.
Many would say that son of legendary Stoke City ball-thrower has already had his audition as he ripped Enzo Maresca’s side to shreds in the reverse fixture at Portman Road. Him and Omari Hutchinson scored to notch a 2-0 win back in December.
Chelsea need their revenge at Stamford Bridge today. They also need a win to solidify their top-four spot. A win would see them just one point behind Nottingham Forest in third. With Newcastle matching Chelsea’s 53 points at the moment and holding a game in hand, every point counts to secure Champions League football.
Ipswich Town are fighting for survival. A result at the Bridge could spark hope. Avoiding a 20th league defeat is crucial, but their injury crisis makes this a daunting effort.
Form Guide and Team Performance
Chelsea are 6th in the table with 31 games gone. The Blues have won their last five Premier League games at Stamford Bridge, scoring 11 goals and conceding just 2.
Clean sheets in four of their last five league games. However, Chelsea’s attacking output has dipped since mid-December 2024, with only 17 goals scored in the league.
Their goalless draw against Brentford last weekend highlighted struggles on the road, but a 3-0 victory over Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg on Thursday showcased their squad depth, with Maresca rotating players to manage fatigue. Despite this, injuries to defenders like Wesley Fofana could stretch their backline against Ipswich’s counter-attacking threat.
Ipswich Town are in 18th spot, having managed just 20 points after 31 games.
Kieran McKenna’s side face an uphill battle to avoid relegation, sitting 12 points off safety with just seven games remaining.
The Tractor Boys have endured a torrid 2025, winless in their last eight Premier League matches and conceding at least two goals in seven of those games.
Their 2-1 home defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend, despite taking the lead through Delap, marked their sixth straight loss at Portman Road and 19th league defeat of the season. However, a 1-0 win over Bournemouth three days prior offered a glimmer of hope.
Ipswich have been more competitive away from home, earning 65% of their points on the road. Yet, their inability to hold leads is a glaring issue. Defensively, they’ve struggled, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 league games and conceding 32 goals in that run.
Key Players to Watch Chelsea:
- Nicolas Jackson: With 9 goals in their league so far, Jackson would want to make a statement against his possible future competition in Delap.
- Cole Palmer: Chelsea’s creative hub has 14 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League despite no goals in his last 13 appearances across all competitions. He’ll aim to breach Ipswich’s low block.
- Enzo Fernández: The Argentine has hit form, scoring twice in his last three games, including a decisive strike against Tottenham.
Ipswich Town
- Liam Delap: The 21-year-old’s 12 Premier League goals make him Ipswich’s lifeline.
- Leif Davis: The left-back leads the club with 6 assists. His 2.1 crosses per game will seek out Delap.
- Sam Morsy: A legend of the club, Ipswich’s captain will anchor the midfield against Fernández and Caicedo.
Scoreline Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Ipswich Town
Man of the Match: Cole Palmer
- Key Stat: Chelsea have won 26 of 46 meetings and are unbeaten in their last 8 home league matches against Ipswich.
- BTTS: Ipswich have scored 18 goals on the road and Chelsea need to score more goals to match Manchester City goal difference.
- Over 2.5 Goals: 60% of Chelsea’s home games and 60% of Ipswich’s away games have produced over 2.5 goals.
Always gamble responsibly and consider all factors before placing a bet.
