Chelsea have now gone two consecutive Premier League games without a win for the first time since October, when they were held to a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest before falling to a 2-1 defeat away to runaway league leaders Liverpool.
The Blues were held to a goalless draw against Everton at Goodison Park before suffering a shocking 2-1 defeat at the hands of West London rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.
Cole Palmer slotted home his 12th goal of the season after a mesmerising solo run to give Chelsea the lead, but a late double from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz put the Blues to the sword on their own turf.
After Arsenal’s slender win against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town, the Blues have slipped down to third on the Premier League table, one point behind their fierce capital rivals.
Enzo Maresca’s side will be determined to avoid going on a three-game winless streak when they take on the Tractor Boys at Portman Road Stadium on Monday night.
Predicted Chelsea line-up
Maresca is expected to ring the changes from the side that lost to Fulham, with at least four players coming into the starting line-up.
The one constant could be Robert Sanchez, who is expected to retain his place between the sticks, but there could be at least one change to the backline ahead of him.
After Malo Gusto’s uninspiring performance against Fulham, he could drop to the bench for Axel Disasi.
Renato 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.
Madueke could return to the line-up in one of three changes to the attack. Joao Felix has barely kicked a ball in the Premier League since joining the club but he’s in line for a start in Suffolk.
Christopher Nkunku should also be named in the starting XI, with Nicolas Jackson handed a breather.
Chelsea predicted XI:
(4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez; Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Joao Felix; Christopher Nkunku.
