Chelsea wrap up their December on Monday evening as the Blues take on Ipswich Town at Portman Road in their final match of 2024.

Enzo Maresca is expected to make numerous changes to his side that were beaten against Fulham last time out. The Blues head coach admitted after the defeat that he will make some alterations after what was a disappointing Boxing Day performance at Stamford Bridge.

So, what sort of team will Maresca field against the Tractor Boys? Bobby Vincent discusses below...

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Robert Sanchez is likely to keep his place in goal despite giving possession away softly to allow Fulham to win the match in the 95th minute a few days ago. Filip Jorgensen is of course waiting for his opportunity but it seems unlikely that Maresca will drop Sanchez on Monday.

Perhaps the trip to Ipswich will mark the return of Moises Caicedo starting at right-back. After a less-than-stellar performance from Malo Gusto on Boxing Day, now seems as good a time as any to use the Ecuadorian on the right-hand side of defence before he drifts into the middle when Chelsea have possession of the ball.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill are very much expected to keep their places in the centre of defence for Chelsea. The game comes too early for the likes of Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, who are both missing until at least next month with respective muscular injuries. Marc Cucurella should continue on the left-hand side.

In the middle of the field, Romeo Lavia could return. We do not quite know how fit the Belgium international is but he is close to returning to action after a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury he suffered against Tottenham earlier in the month. Enzo Fernandez to start alongside Lavia but on the ball, the Argentine will move into one of the No.10 roles, which brings us to the brilliant Cole Palmer.

With a fantastic goal against Fulham, Palmer will be hoping to replicate that kind of form at Portman Road. However, only five of his 12 Premier League goals this season so far have come away from Stamford Bridge.

We await to see what happens with Noni Madueke. The 22-year-old was left out of the squad against Fulham, with Maresca describing it as a "technical decision" post-match. Maresca, though, later explained how Madueke is in contention to return against Ipswich, so he could come into the side in place of Pedro Neto.

On the left-hand side, perhaps a rare start for Joao Felix? It feels like Jadon Sancho needs a rest. With Mykhailo Mudryk suspended from football at the moment, Felix will perhaps be Maresca's go-to option to replace Sancho on the left wing.

Nicolas Jackson could potentially drop out of the side as well. Perhaps Christopher Nkunku gets a start up front? It is not something we have seen much of this season, especially in the Premier League, but with such a short turnaround in matches, Maresca may well be tempted to rotate heavily.

Nkunku, however, has not done enough when coming off the bench in recent matches. Off the ball, he does not offer anywhere near the amount that Jackson does. On the ball, he has not been able to get involved either. For Chelsea's sake, they hope it will be difference if the Frenchman starts - and that could be on Monday night.