Chelsea is making a long-awaited return to Portman Road, marking their first visit in 22 years. The team is eager to secure a win, aiming for their first victory at this venue in 39 years.
To bolster their chances, coach Enzo Maresca has implemented a strategy that includes five changes to the squad following their last match on Thursday. Key players such as Noni Madueke, João Félix, and Christopher Nkunku have been introduced to enhance the attacking lineup. Additionally, Axel Disasi will take over from Malo Gusto in the right-back position. In an encouraging development for fans, Filip Jörgensen will make his debut in goal, and Reece James returns from injury, adding depth to the squad.
The starting lineups are as follows:
Ipswich Town:
Goalkeeper: Walton
Defense: Burns, O’Shea, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis
Midfield: Morsy (captain), Cajuste
Forward: Hutchinson, Broadhead, Delap
Substitutes include: Muric, Johnson, Townsend, Phillips, Taylor, Chaplin, Szmodics, J. Clarke, Al-Hamadi.
Chelsea (4-2-3-1 formation):
Goalkeeper: Jörgensen
Defense: Cucurella, Colwill, Tosin, Disasi
Midfield: Enzo (captain), Caicedo
Attack: Félix, Palmer, Madueke, Nkunku
Substitutes: Sánchez, Acheampong, Gusto, James, Veiga, Neto, Sancho, Guiu, Jackson.
The match is scheduled for Monday, December 30, 2024, at 19:45 GMT (2:45 PM EST, 1:15 AM IST the following day) at Portman Road, Ipswich. The officiating will be led by referee John Brooks, with VAR assistance from Michael Oliver.
Fans tuning in will be eager to see how Chelsea’s revamped lineup performs, especially given the high stakes of the match. While there are no live broadcasts listed in the UK or the USA, viewers in Nigeria can catch the action on SuperSport Action and Canal+ Sport 4, with streaming options available through Peacock in the USA and Disney+ Hotstar in India.
As this historic clash unfolds, both teams will be looking to make their mark, and with Chelsea’s changes, there’s excitement in the air for what could be an invigorating encounter.
This match presents a fantastic opportunity for Chelsea to reclaim their glory at Portman Road and could signify a positive turn in their season.