Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea is still finding its groove, but eyebrows will raise if they don’t secure their first competitive victory when newcomers Luton Town visit.
Pochettino’s task of stabilizing the team he took over this summer was never going to be swift. Yet, the board’s support in the transfer market was evident, breaking a British record with the signing of Moises Caicedo and investing another £58 million on Romeo Lavia.
This has added muscle to Chelsea’s midfield, but their forward line still appears shaky. They’ve only managed two goals at the onset of the season, drawing against Liverpool and losing to West Ham. The injury of star signing Christopher Nkunku didn’t do any favors, and newcomer Nicolas Jackson hasn’t found the net yet. Hence, it’s plausible that Chelsea might add another striker before the transfer window ends.
Chelsea’s potential spending could soon approach a staggering billion since Todd Boehly’s acquisition, a figure Luton Town can merely fantasize about.
A decade ago, the Hatters were in the National League. Their recent promotion from the Championship via the play-offs defied many expectations. However, the widespread belief is that they’ll face relegation, and an initial 4-1 loss to Brighton didn’t help.
Their Premier League homecoming was delayed as Kenilworth Road awaits standard upgrades, giving Rob Edwards’ squad additional prep time for their Stamford Bridge fixture. Yet, to earn points, they’ll need to be exceptional and bank on Chelsea having an off day.
Luton Town are clear underdogs, with odds of 12/1. Chelsea is 1/3.
Past Meetings: While their last league clash was in 1991, they’ve met in the FA Cup. Notably, Chelsea clinched a 3-1 victory at their home in early 2021 but had to work harder for a 3-2 win at Kenilworth Road the following year.
For Luton, Elijah Adebayo played a crucial role in their promotion and notched up multiple goals. He’s positioned at 11/2 by Bet365 to score at Stamford Bridge.
