Chelsea v Ipswich match preview
When Ipswich City beat Chelsea 2-0 at dwelling 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 probably valuable win within the Tractor Boys’ battle in opposition to relegation.
Chelsea’s depressing away type has lengthy since rendered their principal 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 Highway.
“I nonetheless bear in mind the sport and, even when we had many possibilities to attain, they defended very 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 dwelling by Wolves final Saturday to go away Kieran McKenna’s staff on the point of relegation.
“I’m nonetheless blissful right here,” stated McKenna, who was courted by a number of golf equipment after main City to a second successive promotion final season.
“This yr was at all times going to be a problem. The very fact it was going to be an enormous problem was one of many explanation why I needed to remain.
“I felt it was the proper factor to do. As I’ve stated a couple of occasions, the membership has a fantastically vivid future in lots of, many alternative methods.
“It’s a membership that’s on the up, regardless of a doable – you’ll be able to say a possible – backward step this yr. There’s nonetheless a fantastic potential to make some large strides over the subsequent 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 stated.
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 may return earlier than the tip of the marketing campaign.
Maresca could rotate his beginning line-up after preserving 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.
