Just as quickly as they entered the Premier League title race, Chelsea’s hopes are hanging now by a thread as they close out 2024 with a trip to Portman Road to face relegation-fighting Ipswich on Monday (2:45 pm ET).
WATCH LIVE — Ipswich v Chelsea
For live updates and highlights throughout Ipswich vs Chelsea, check out PST’s live blog coverage below…
How to watch Ipswich vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:45 pm ET Monday (December 30)
Venue: Portman Road — Ipswich
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Watch live on Peacock
Ipswich vs Chelsea live updates - by Andy Edwards
Ipswich vs Chelsea live score: 2-0
Goalscorers: Liam Delap (12' - PK), Omari Hutchinson (53')
GOAL! Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea: Delap pounces on Disasi-strous giveaway, finds Hutchinson (53')
OFFSIDE! Joao Felix equalizes for Chelsea, but VAR rules him narrowly offside (26')
Another brilliant ball from Cole Palmer finds Joao Felix at the back post, but he was leaning just offside when it left Palmer’s foot.
#IPSCHE – 24’ VAR OVERTURN
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) December 30, 2024
Felix’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that he was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed. pic.twitter.com/urbBh4i115
GOAL! Ipswich 1-0 Chelsea: Delap converts from the penalty spot (12')
Chelsea starting lineup
Jorgensen - Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella - Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer - Madueke, Felix, Nkunku
Ipswich starting lineup
Walton - O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis - Morsy, Cajuste, Hutchinson - Burns, Broadhead, Delap
Enzo Maresca insisted at the time that the Blues (3rd - 35 points) were not genuine title contenders due to their lack of experience in such matters, and perhaps we should have listened to him. After winning 5 games in a row (while scoring 16 goals) to move to within 2 points of leaders Liverpool, Chelsea’s next two games have been arguably their worst results of the season — 0-0 away to Everton, followed by a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham despite leading after 81 minutes. The gap to Liverpool, who still have a game in hand, is now 7 points, so it’s top four or bust with the likes of Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa all at least 6 points behind Chelsea.
There hasn’t been much to celebrate at Portman Road this season, with Ipswich (19th - 12 points) the only side yet to win a game at home this season. The Tractor Boys have only scored 6 goals in 9 games and were battered 4-0 by Newcastle in their last home game. And yet, 3 points is all that separates them from Wolves — red-hot winners under new manager Vitor Pereira — in 17th. Everton (17 points), Crystal Palace (17) and Wolves (15) are the only ones still within double-digit points, while the three newly promoted sides occupy the bottom three as 2024 draws to a close.
Ipswich team news, focus
OUT: Axel Tuanzebe (hamstring), George Hirst (knee), Janoi Donacien (groin), Chiedozie Ogbene (achilles - out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Massimo Luongo (illness)
Chelsea team news, focus
OUT: Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension), Reece James (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (undisclosed), Omari Kellyman (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Romeo Lavia (undisclosed), Carney Chukwuemeka (illness), Kieran Dewsbury-Hall (knock)
Ipswich vs Chelsea prediction
Chelsea have looked a bit weak and frail without Romeo Lavia to manage the game in midfield, and that should give Ipswich hope that there will be chances for them. What a way to end an already magical year. Ipswich 2-1 Chelsea.
