Chelsea v Ipswich match preview
When Ipswich City beat Chelsea 2-0 at residence on December 30, one of many shocks of the season within the Premier League was additionally thought-about a blow to the Blues’ title hopes and a doubtlessly treasured win within the Tractor Boys’ battle in opposition to relegation.
Chelsea’s depressing away kind has lengthy since rendered their foremost ambition that of qualifying for the Champions League, they usually begin the weekend in fourth, 4 factors away from sixth-placed Manchester Metropolis.
“On that day, that they had extra need than us to get the three factors,” Chelsea supervisor Enzo Maresca recalled of his aspect’s defeat at Portman Street.
“I nonetheless keep in mind the sport and, even when we had many possibilities to attain, they defended rather well. They’re an excellent staff.”
Grafting. #CHEIPS pic.twitter.com/RDCez9lOPP
— Ipswich City (@IpswichTown) April 10, 2025
Ipswich adopted up that victory with a horror run of two factors from 10 video games, solely successful once more at Bournemouth on April 2 earlier than being overwhelmed at residence by Wolves final Saturday to depart Kieran McKenna’s staff on the point of relegation.
“I’m nonetheless completely happy right here,” mentioned McKenna, who was courted by a number of golf equipment after main City to a second successive promotion final season.
“This 12 months was all the time going to be a problem. The very fact it was going to be a giant problem was one of many the explanation why I needed to remain.
“I felt it was the precise factor to do. As I’ve mentioned a number of instances, the membership has a fantastically shiny future in lots of, many various methods.
“It’s a membership that’s on the up, regardless of a doable – you may say a possible – backward step this 12 months. There’s nonetheless an important potential to make some large strides over the following few years, so I’m excited to be a part of that.”
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Chelsea v Ipswich staff information
Ipswich prime scorer Liam Delap, who’s being linked with golf equipment together with Chelsea, picked up a “actually heavy knock” in opposition to Wolves and has missed coaching classes this week, McKenna mentioned.
Ahead Omari Hutchinson has missed City’s final two video games and stays a doubt, whereas wingers Wes Burns and Chiedozie Ogbene, striker Samuel Szmodics and goalkeeper Arijanet Muric are long-term absentees.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana will miss the remainder of the season following hamstring surgical procedure however midfielder Romeo Lavia and striker Marc Guiu might return earlier than the top of the marketing campaign.
Maresca could rotate his beginning line-up after protecting the likes of Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson in reserve for the 3-0 win at Legia Warsaw within the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.
