Chelsea XI vs Ipswich: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

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Evening Standard

·27 December 2024

Chelsea XI vs Ipswich: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League

Enzo Maresca could rotate for third Blues game in nine days

Enzo Maresca must decide how heavily to rotate his Chelsea side as they travel to Ipswich for a third Premier League game in nine days.

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The high-flying Blues have picked up only one point in their last two games either side of Christmas, drawing 0-0 away at Everton and then being stunned by a late Fulham comeback in a 2-1 home defeat on Boxing Day.

Maresca made only one change to his side between those matches, recalling the suspended Marc Cucurella, but could tinker more heavily against the newly-promoted outfit.

“I think in December, we already played eight or nine games in 25 or 27 days so it’s now important to recover the energy and go again on Monday,” he said following the Fulham defeat.

“If we are going to make one, two or three changes we will see. Now it’s a bit early to say we will change something.”

Maresca’s hands are tied to some extent by defensive injuries, but one of Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga could come in to freshen his backline.

Veiga and winger Noni Madueke were both dropped for “technical” reasons for the Fulham defeat but Maresca confirmed the pair will be back in contention at Portman Road.

Elsewhere, Christopher Nkunku will hope for a rare league start should Nicolas Jackson be given a rest.

Maresca did not provide a fresh update on Romeo Lavia’s fitness, but had been upbeat about his recovery from a hamstring problem going into the Fulham game.

Chelsea predicted XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Nkunku