Prediction: Luton Town vs Chelsea

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to spring a heavyweight upset this weekend, Luton will welcome Chelsea to Kenilworth Road on Saturday lunchtime.

Luton Town

Starting with the hosts, while Luton might still face a real battle in their bid to keep hold of their Premier League status this season, the Hatters have continued to receive a string of public praise. Mounting a stunning comeback away at fellow relegation scrappers Sheffield United on Boxing Day as they eventually left Bramall Lane with a 3-2 victory, Rob Edwards’s side should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Spring a major upset on December 23rd as they secured a 1-0 win against Champions League chasers Newcastle, Luton have secured back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since making their famous top-flight return. Sat within touching distance of finding a route out of the drop zone and looking to open the New Year with a major statement of intent at Kenilworth Road, Edwards’ side could be smelling a potential opportunity on Saturday lunchtime.

Team News

While Tom Lockyer might be on the mend following his cardiac incident at Bournemouth last week, Luton will be unable to call upon the influential skipper here. Likewise, both still dealing with their own respective injury issues, Edwards will be unable to call upon the defensive duo of Dan Potts and Reece Burke.

Forced to settle for a spot on the bench in each of Luton’s last five Premier League appearances, Carlton Morris could make a first start since December 2nd. Finding the net at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day, Alfie Doughty will likely once again feature at left-back.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, managing to make a crucial return to winning ways earlier in the week as they snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace, Chelsea will be desperate to find some domestic stability. However, although Mauricio Pochettino’s men might have snuck their way back into the top-half of the Premier League table, the Blues are seeking a real miracle in their bid to book a European return in the New Year. Remarkably failing to collect back-to-back Premier League wins since the start of October, the former Tottenham boss will be most concerned by his side’s extended issues away from Stamford Bridge. Last seen on their travels getting hit with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wolves on Christmas Eve, Chelsea have lost all of their previous four top-flight showdowns outside of west London. Despite being tipped as a standout contender this weekend, the Blues could face a tricky test when they arrive at Kenilworth Road on Saturday lunchtime.

Team News

Still dealing with a stacked injury list at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Enzo Fernandez, Robert Sanchez and Marc Cucurella. However, both serving their own respective bans against Crystal Palace in midweek, the duo of Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer should make a full return here.

Now finding the net in two of his previous three Premier League appearances, Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk will keep his spot in Chelsea’s attack. Bagging the winner against Palace on Wednesday, England U21 international Noni Madueke could make a first top-flight start of the season.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Luton and Chelsea met for their reverse Premier League showdown on August 25th, the Blues picked up a 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
• Chelsea have remarkably lost all of their previous four consecutive Premier League showdowns outside of west London.
• Including their 3-2 victory against Sheffield United on Boxing Day, Luton have secured back-to-back Premier League wins.
• Pochettino’s side have failed to record a single clean sheet away from Stamford Bridge since back on October 2nd.
• Likewise, Chelsea have failed to secure back-to-back Premier League wins since the start of October.

Conclusion

While Chelsea might have eventually snatched a last-gasp 2-1 victory at home against Crystal Palace in midweek, the Blues have gained a reputation for their glaring issues on the road. Losing all of their previous four Premier League appearances outside of west London by an aggregate score of 10-3, some in Luton’s camp could be smelling the chance to spring a famous upset here. Collecting back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this season, the Hatters will be confident of testing Chelsea’s leaky defence on Saturday lunchtime.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: Olympusbet