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Premier League: Luton Town vs. Chelsea: The Premier League match between Luton Town and Chelsea takes place on Kenilworth Road at midday on Saturday. This will be the teams’ final meeting on the field in 2023.
Only a day after Sheffield United’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Rob Edwards’ team on Boxing Day, the Blues came back from behind to upset Crystal Palace 2-1.
Luton’s current squad established Hatter’s history at Bramall Lane by being the first Premier League team to win back-to-back games in the tournament and by becoming the first team to benefit from two own goals scored in the 75th minute or later.
After Alfie Doughty’s first-half goal, Oli McBurnie and Anel Ahmedhodzic turned the basement battle on its head.
However, four minutes later, Jack Robinson’s clever header nestled into his own net due to a catastrophic collapse, and Anis Ben Slimane diverted the ball past a stranded Wes Foderingham.
Sheffield United’s own-goal disaster class was set in motion by two crosses from Carlton Morris.
However, as Rob Edwards’s squad celebrated with their jubilant away supporters rightfully, the five-goal spectacular was overshadowed by claims that a racial remark was made to the former from the crowd.
Morris and Luton are now attempting to close out 2023 with an unexpected third straight Premier League victory while police look into the incident.
They also won on December 23 against Newcastle United to bolster their survival hopes, despite the fact that they are currently in the relegation zone.
But Luton still has a game in hand and can catch up to Everton, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest.
If the hosts win on Saturday, it will be the first time since December 1991 that they have won three straight top flight titles, with their third victory coming against none other than Chelsea.
Luton’s victory over the Blues 32 years ago marked the end of the calendar year, and they had previously ended 1989 and 1990 with matches against their West London rivals. These historical omens are very much in their favour this weekend.
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On the other hand, Mauricio Pochettino’s team should be writing history as they attempt to maintain the momentum from their emphatic victory over Palace on Wednesday, which was decided by a penalty kick in the 89th minute from Noni Madueke, who had previously scored goals from Michael Olise and Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Chelsea managed to return to the top half of the standings in 10th place, despite having not been punished for their concerning wastefulness.
They are only ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth, who have played less games, on goal differential.
Although Chelsea’s struggles at Stamford Bridge in 2023 have received a lot of attention, the Blues’ victory over the Eagles was their fourth straight home victory in all competitions.
On the other hand, since thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 prior to the November international break, they have gone on the same losing streak away from home.
In addition to being the first team to lose their last game of the year since 2011, the Blues would be doomed to an ugly sixth straight road loss at Kenilworth Road. However, Pochettino’s team easily defeated Luton 3-0 at home in August.
Luton Town Premier League form:
W L L L W W
Chelsea Premier League form:
W L L W L W
Chelsea form (all competitions):
L L W W L W
After leaving Bramall Lane, Luton returned home without any new suspension or injury worries ahead of Chelsea’s visit. Jordan Clark could be able to help the team if his ailment improves over the next few days.
The hosts’ last 2023 match could be missed by all of Reece Burke (thigh), Dan Potts (thigh), Marvellous Nakamba (knee), and Issa Kabore (muscle), albeit captain Tom Lockyer is still recovering from a heart attack that was rather worrisome.
Morris could scarcely have done more to win a recall to the Hatters’ starting lineup after seeing two of his deliveries deflect into the Sheffield United net on Boxing Day; Elijah Adebayo or Jacob Brown might have to make way.
After completing their one-game suspensions against Palace, when Christopher Nkunku made his Premier League debut and Romeo Lavia earned his Blues baptism off the bench, Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer are now eligible to play again.
After the game, Pochettino expressed his concern about certain “issues” that Lavia had on his debut; if Enzo Fernandez’s hernia does not heal in time for the trip to Luton, the visitors’ midfield ranks may be further depleted.
Chelsea’s confirmed absences for Saturday’s matchup are Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (thigh), Marc Cucurella (ankle), and Robert Sanchez (knee).
Pochettino may also be tempted to sacrifice Nicolas Jackson given the hectic schedule and another profligate performance on Wednesday.
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Osho, Mengi, Bell; Doughty, Barkley, Lokonga, Giles; Townsend, Morris; Adebayo
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Gallagher; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Nkunku
Our Prediction for this match 3-1 or 2-0 won by Chelsea
