Luton Town will host Chelsea in the last games of the year for the respective teams. Just over 24 hours later, on Boxing Day, Rob Edwards’s team easily defeated Sheffield United 3-2. The Blues had come back from behind to upset Crystal Palace 2-1.
Preview (Luton Town vs. Chelsea)
Luton’s current squad established Hatters 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 an own goal by Alfie Doughty in the first half, Oli McBurnie and Anis Ben Slimane turned the basement fight on its head. However, four minutes later, Jack Robinson’s clever header nestled into his net as Anis Ben Slimane diverted the ball past a stranded Wes Foderingham.
Sheffield United’s own-goal disasterclass was sparked by two crosses from Carlton Morris. Rob Edwards’s team rightfully celebrated with their ecstatic away supporters. The five-goal spectacular was overshadowed by claims that a racial remark was made by the crowd. Morris and Luton are now attempting to close 2023 with an unexpected third straight Premier League victory. They also won on December 23 against Newcastle United to bolster their survival hopes. 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. They had previously ended 1989 and 1990 with matches against their West London rivals. These historical omens are very much in their favor this weekend.
Team News
After leaving Bramall Lane, Luton returned home without any new suspension or injury worries in preparation for Chelsea’s arrival. If Jordan Clark’s ailment improves over the next few days, he might be able to add to the team. The hosts’ last 2023 match could be missed by all of Reed Burke (thigh), Dan Potts (thigh), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), and Issa Kabore (muscle), however, captain Tom Lockyer is still recovering from a rather worrisome heart attack. Morris could scarcely have done more to earn a recall to the Hatters’ starting lineup. Two of his deliveries deflected into the Sheffield United net on Boxing Day. Jacob Brown or Elijah Adebayo could have to step aside.
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, both Raheem Sterling and Cole Palmer are available for selection again for Chelsea. However, Pochettino stated after the game that he was concerned about some “issues” that Lavia encountered on his debut. Chelsea’s confirmed absences for the match on Saturday are Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (thigh), Marc Cucurella (ankle), and Robert Sanchez (knee).
Luton Town 1-2 Chelsea
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