Kick-off – Ipswich v Chelsea

1. Away we go! Referee John Brooks blows his whistle and Ipswich kick us off at what can only be described as a raucous Portman Road.

Chelsea – all in white this evening – will hope to silence the home fans as quickly as possible.

Here come the two teams!

Changes aplenty in the two camps, and so it’s two midfielders in Sam Morsy and Enzo Fernandez that lead their respective teams out at Portman Road this evening.

Behind the captains are two new keepers too; Christian Walton is in goal for the hosts while Filip Jorgensen has the gloves for Enzo Maresca’s visitors.

With the sun setting on 2024, this clash offers an opportunity for both clubs.

A first home victory of the campaign will put Kieran McKenna’s side within one point of safety at the bottom end of the Premier League.

Chelsea, on the other hand, can reestablish their title credentials after they were stunned at Stamford Bridge by jubilant neighbours Fulham on Boxing Day.

Kick-off comes next.

Blues used to ending on high

With under 30 hours of 2024 remaining, Chelsea are looking so sign off for the calendar year with a win.

It’s something the Londoners are well versed in, and go into tonight unbeaten in their final league game in each of the last 12 calendar years (W8 D4) since a 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa on New Year’s Eve 2011.

Tractor Boys in need of home help

Ipswich Town’s rise over the last two seasons has been built on some tremendous form at Portman Road.

However, it’s a different story this campaign with the Tractor Boys winless in all nine of their home games following their return to the Premier League (D4 L5).

Another 90 minutes without victory in front of their own fans tonight and the Suffolk outfit will join four other clubs in failing to win any of their first 10 home games in a single Premier League campaign.

The others are Crystal Palace (15 in 1997-98), West Ham (12 in 2002-03), Sunderland (18 in 2005-06) and Brighton (10 in 2020-21).

Chelsea’s 2024 in numbers

Chelsea sit 4th in the Premier League table for the calendar year after a resurgence under Enzo Maresca this season.

• Wins – 20
• Draws – 10
• Losses – 6
• Goals for – 81
• Goals against – 53

Oh I do love playing away

Chelsea are enjoying life on the road this season, with only Liverpool (23) claiming more points away from home.

The Blues have taken 20 points from a possible 27 away from home.

And Chelsea will be licking their lips this evening with Ipswich winless at Portman Road this season.