Game Week 19 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town faces Chelsea at home, hoping to secure crucial points. Can the Blues bounce back after recent setbacks and rise to second place?

Chelsea must get a grip and return to winning ways while the Tractor Boys need to start picking points to avoid relegation. (Photo credit: Khel)

 Ipswich Town vs. Chelsea

Portman Road

8:45 pm

Ipswich Town gave a decent account of themselves at the Emirates the other day but didn’t have enough to stop the Gunners from running away with the three points on offer.

The Tractor Boys are now four points away from safety and would still believe they can pull this off, but they head into the second half of the season having won only two games, both away from home; they must start picking points at home too.

Chelsea dropped points in their last two games, much to the frustration of Enzo Maresca, who can’t understand how they couldn’t break down Everton and then lost at home to Fulham, having led the Lilywhites 1-0 until late in the game.

With Nottingham Forest and Arsenal overtaking them in the standings, Chelsea dropped from being the closest to Liverpool to fourth. However, a win here could propel the Blues to second place, at least until the Gunners' match on New Year's Day.

The Chelsea players appear fatigued and a bit sluggish in their recent games; they have dominated all competitions since November, only to falter when it matters most. They need to improve in this game.

Ipswich has it in them to trouble anyone, but they lack concentration at key moments. Ipswich was indeed flattered by the result at the Emirates, with Arsenal missing gilt-edged chances, especially with Gabriel heading wide from close range in the second half.

Sam Morsy is back after serving his ban against the Gunners, and Kalvin Phillips had a dominant run for the entirety of the game. He should be available again to help the Tractor Boys shore things up in midfield; however, he must be disciplined enough to avoid unnecessary bookings.

Chelsea has a few names on the treatment table; Reece James is still unavailable despite being back in training; Noni Madueke missed the last game, and so did Carney Chukwuemeka; however, Romeo Lavia is available for selection.

Cole Palmer scored in the home loss to Fulham, but the England playmaker hasn't been at his best lately, and Chelsea struggles to score when he's not leading from the front. Ipswich can take the game to Chelsea in search of a shock result, but they must stay compact to avoid a real hammering.

Verdict: Straight win Chelsea