The stage is set at Portman Road as Ipswich Town welcome Chelsea in a historic Premier League encounter. This marks Chelsea’s first visit to Ipswich in over two decades, and they’ll be eager to secure their first league victory at this venue in an astonishing 39 years.

With both teams looking to end the year on a high, this match promises to deliver drama, excitement, and plenty of talking points.

Match Preview and Lineups

Chelsea arrive with momentum but are shaking things up with five changes to their starting XI from their previous match. Manager Enzo Maresca has opted for a refreshed lineup featuring Noni Madueke, João Félix, and Christopher Nkunku spearheading the attack. Defensive duties see Axel Disasi replace Malo Gusto at right back, while Filip Jörgensen makes his first start in goal. Adding to Chelsea’s boost is the return of Reece James, who is available on the bench after recovering from injury.

Ipswich Town, meanwhile, are relying on their robust squad and home advantage. With a determined lineup and a strong sense of history behind them, they’ll aim to put up a spirited fight against the Premier League giants.

Confirmed Starting Lineups

Ipswich Town XI:

Goalkeeper: Walton
Defenders: Burns, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis
Midfielders: Morsy (c), Cajuste
Forwards: Hutchinson, Broadhead, Delap

Substitutes: Muric, Johnson, Townsend, Phillips, Taylor, Chaplin, Szmodics, J. Clarke, Al-Hamadi

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Jörgensen
Defenders: Cucurella, Colwill, Tosin, Disasi
Midfielders: Enzo (c), Caicedo
Attackers: Félix, Palmer, Madueke
Striker: Nkunku

Substitutes: Sánchez, Acheampong, Gusto, James, Veiga, Neto, Sancho, Guiu, Jackson

Match Details

• Date: Monday, December 30, 2024
• Time:
  • 19:45 GMT
  • 2:45 PM EST
  • 1:15 AM IST (next day)
• Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich
• Referee: John Brooks (on pitch), Michael Oliver (VAR)

Where to Watch

The match will be broadcast across limited platforms, but fans in select regions can tune in via the following services:

• UK: Not televised
• USA: Streaming on Peacock
• India: Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
• Nigeria: Available on SuperSport Action and Canal+ Sport 4

Streaming platforms may vary depending on your location, so check your local listings for accurate details.

Key Match Insights

Chelsea’s attack looks lethal with Félix, Nkunku, and Madueke in the starting lineup, promising high energy and creativity in the final third. Meanwhile, Ipswich will be counting on captain Sam Morsy to lead by example in midfield and dictate the tempo.

For Chelsea, the return of Reece James could be pivotal, even if limited to a substitute role. His ability to influence games on both ends of the pitch is a significant boost for the Blues.

Ipswich, on the other hand, will rely heavily on Nathan Broadhead and Liam Delap to capitalize on any defensive lapses and keep the home crowd on their feet.

Historical Context

This is a rare meeting between Ipswich Town and Chelsea, with the last clash at Portman Road occurring over 22 years ago. The two sides have a storied history, but Chelsea’s inability to claim a league victory here for nearly four decades adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

Final Thoughts

Both teams have their motivations heading into this game. For Chelsea, it’s a chance to consolidate their position in the league and break a long-standing jinx at Portman Road. For Ipswich, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against a top side and perhaps pull off a historic upset.

No matter the outcome, this match will be one to remember for fans of both clubs. Stay tuned for live updates, post-match reactions, and highlights as this thrilling encounter unfolds.