Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Ipswich Town held off Arsenal's attacks as much as they could, but ultimately succumbed to a 0:1 defeat. How will they fare in their second tough test over the festive period? Chelsea are also looking to bounce back after disappointing their fans.
Ipswich Town
For Ipswich Town, having Liam Delap in the lineup is crucial. Without him in their match against Newcastle United, even against this average opponent, the team struggled with finishing. Despite a decent 0.71 xG and 10 shots, they only managed to hit the target twice and failed to score. Sammie Szmodics, Omari Hutchinson, and Conor Chaplin, who replaced the 21-year-old forward, all had poor finishing. The defence also faltered, resulting in a 0:4 loss. On Boxing Day, Ipswich Town lost 0:1 in a seemingly less hopeless manner, but their offensive efforts were still dismal with only three off-target shots. How can they hope for a positive outcome?
Chelsea
Yes, Chelsea surprisingly lost to Fulham (1:2), conceding unexpectedly in the 95th minute. They aren't the first among the leading pack to have their spirits dampened by Fulham. Arsenal (1:1) and Liverpool (2:2) experienced similar setbacks last month. Several key players are sidelined due to injuries, yet Chelsea still have a broad array of options. Unfortunately, the demanding schedule (playing every three to four days) takes its toll, even with rotation. After scoring three or more goals in three consecutive matches in early December against Aston Villa, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur, they've only managed a total of three goals in their last three league matches combined.
Ipswich Town vs Chelsea Prediction
Chelsea should at least avoid defeat against Ipswich Town, as they would need to concede to falter, and the hosts haven't been scoring often recently. They've only found the net in three of their last seven matches, resulting in just one victory. Moreover, a total under 3.5 has occurred in six of those seven games. Therefore, we choose a combined prediction.
