Man City and Villa wins put pressure on Chelsea ahead of Ipswich clash | OneFootball

After Manchester City and Aston Villa claimed crucial wins on Saturday, Chelsea have been bumped out of the Premier League’s top five. That could change within 24 hours.The Blues return to domestic action on Sunday against Ipswich Town knowing that a win will take them back into the top four. And with just seven matches left to play, every point matters in the increasingly tense battle for a Champions League spot.Chelsea’s recent form suggests they are trending in the right direction. A comfortable 3-0 away victory over Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday showed both their quality and depth. Enzo Maresca, however, is not getting carried away. “Winning in the way we did is important for momentum,” he said post-match. “But we know Ipswich will be a tough game. Any team you face at this point in the season is complicated.”The Italian coach made calculated substitutions in Warsaw to preserve key players for the Premier League run-in. It is a clear sign of how seriously Chelsea are taking their top-five ambitions.Cole Palmer continues to lead the charge despite his recent dip in form. With 14 league goals and seven assists, he has emerged as one of the division’s most effective forwards. Yet, the supporting cast also needs to step up, especially in front of goal. Nicolas Jackson’s return from injury has offered a boost. According to Maresca, “With Nico, we are a completely different team.” Jackson may not be a household name yet, but his influence is undeniable. Ipswich Town, meanwhile, are fighting for their Premier League lives. Kieran McKenna’s side are twelve points adrift of safety, and another defeat would nudge them closer to the drop.Despite their predicament, Maresca is wary of the challenge. “Ipswich want to show themselves and finish in the right way,” he said. “They don’t like to lose games.”One player Chelsea will have to keep a close eye on is Liam Delap. The young forward has impressed in a struggling side, netting 12 league goals. Chelsea have been linked with a summer move, but for now, Delap is very much “the enemy,” as Maresca put it.Chelsea’s path back into Europe’s elite competition remains open. But with Manchester City breathing down their necks and Aston Villa showing resilience, they cannot afford any missteps — especially not at home to a side that looks destined for the Championship.