CHELSEA are welcoming Premier League new boys Luton to West London TONIGHT – and Moises Caicedo is making his first Blues start!
The British record £115m signing from Brighton is in the starting XI tonight as Chelsea look to bounce back from their defeat at West Ham last weekend.
But the Hatters' stadium refurbishment has given them the advantage of more rest time than the Blues, with their last game nearly two weeks ago.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST
- TV channel/ live stream: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
- Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Disasi, Thiago Silva, Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Caicedo, Chilwell, Gusto, Jackson, Sterling, Gallagher
- Luton XI: Kaminski, Burke, Lockyer, Bell, Kabore, Barkley, Nakamba, Chong, Giles, Adebayo, Morris
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By Kieran Davies
The highs and lows of modern football
Since these two teams met in the top-flight previously, it has been a rollercoaster for Luton Town.
They have dropped out of the league completely before rising back to the Premier League.
It should make their achievements that much more enjoyable when they are experiencing the big stage again on an evening like tonight.
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By Kieran Davies
Figures of hope for The Hatters
Chelsea have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last eleven Premier League games.
The Blues' only win in their last sixteen fixtures in all competitions was against Bournemouth in May.
Pochettino's side are winless in nine home games in all competitions (D5, L4).
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By Kieran Davies
Edwards focussed on task at hand
The Luton Town manager spoke about what tonight's game means to his squad:
This is what we've all worked so hard for, nights like this. That being said, we want to enjoy the occasion by putting in a really good performance.
Rob EdwardsLuton Town manager
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By Kieran Davies
Poch looking for goals at bridge
Mauricio Pochettino will be wanting to see more from his side this evening in the attacking third.
Against West Ham and Liverpool, they got into dangerous areas a lot without getting the goals their play deserved.
It is important they start to be more clinical in front of goal, something the Argentine will be wanting to drum into his squad.
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By Kieran Davies
Future looking bleak for The Blues
Although fans will be hoping that is just in terms of the weather for this evening as dark clouds gather over Stamford Bridge.
Moises Caicedo will be keen to have a big influence in his home debut tonight, in a far more positive sense than his debut at West Ham on the weekend.
They will be looking to attack from the off and put the visitors on the back foot.
Credit: AP -
By Kieran Davies
Long time no see for teams
The last time the two teams faced each other was in December 1991.
That game, at Kenilworth Road, resulted in a 2-0 win for Luton.
Anything but victory this evening for Chelsea would result in the first time they have failed to win any of their first three Premier League games since the 1998/99 season (D2, L1).
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By Kieran Davies
Luton subs:
23. Krul, 5. Andersen, 7. Ogbene, 8. Berry, 10. Woodrow, 17. Mpanzu, 19. Brown, 38. Johnson, 45. Doughty
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By Kieran Davies
Luton starting XI:
Two changes for The Hatters as former Chelsea attacker Ross Barkley makes his debut, while Reece Burke comes in at centre back.
24. Kaminski, 16. Burke, 4. Lockyer, 29. Bell, 12. Kabore, 6. Barkley, 13. Nakamba, 14. Chong, 26. Giles, 9. Morris, 11. Adebayo
Credit: @LutonTown -
By Kieran Davies
Chelsea subs:
47. Bergstrom, 50. Beach, 48. Humphreys, 3. Cucurella, 29. Maatsen, 16. Ugochukwu, 43. Moreira, 11. Madueke, 37. Burstow
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By Kieran Davies
Chelsea starting XI:
Moises Caicedo is the only change from the side that lost to West Ham on the weekend, replacing the injured Carney Chukwuemeka.
1. Sanchez, 2. Disasi, 6. Thiago Silva, 26. Colwill, 27. Gusto, 8. Fernandez, 23. Gallagher, 25. Caicedo, 21. Chilwell, 7. Sterling, 15. Jackson
Credit: @ChelseaFC -
By Kieran Davies
Hatters playing catch-up in league
Due to the redevelopment of Kenilworth Road, Luton were unable to fulfil their first home fixture of the season.
As a result, The Hatters have still only played one game so far this season.
Following their heavy defeat at Brighton, Rob Edwards will be looking for his side to put in a performance this evening.
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By Kieran Davies
Chequebook still open in West London
During his pre-match press conference, Pochettino spoke about the potential of more signings before the window closes:
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By Kieran Davies
Luton looking to roll back the years
The Hatters have only won one of their last seven games at Stamford Bridge (D1, L5).
When they last beat Chelsea here, in September 1986, The Communards were at number one in the UK charts with 'Don't Leave Me This Way'.
A heavy defeat for The Blues tonight and that could be Pochettino's themetune at Chelsea.
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By Kieran Davies
All the hard work pays off
Any side looking to get promoted to the Premier League, is dreaming of fixtures like tonight.
Playing star-studded big teams and trying to create an upset.
It will feel like an achievement of sorts this evening, arriving at the ground, the preparation and the game itself.
Luton did it the hard way, via the play-offs, now they can go out there and show what they are all about.
Credit: Getty -
By Kieran Davies
Horror show in East London
Things could not have gone worse for Pochettino last weekend as they were humbled by David Moyes’ West Ham.
Even the introduction of new record signing Moises Caicedo went south when the midfielder gave away a penalty which led to The Hammers’ third goal.
Despite dominating possession, The Blues did not create enough clear-cut chances and seem to be lacking firepower in front of goal, something they need to address.
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By Kieran Davies
Free hit for Premier League newcomers
When teams are planning for the season ahead, Luton would not be earmarking games against the bigger sides as ‘must win’ games.
Anything they can get from this fixture will be seen as a bonus to The Hatters.
It is tough to win on the road in this league, let alone against a side who are aiming to be in the mix at the top of the table.
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By Kieran Davies
Money does not maketh the man
Mauricio Pochettino will be under pressure to get his side’s first win of the season at the third time of asking this evening.
Given the owner’s heavy investment into the squad, Todd Boehly will want to see immediate results of from his Chelsea side.
Defeat last weekend will have hurt the American, he will be expecting to see vast improvements against The Hatters in this game.
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By Kieran Davies
Welcome to Chelsea vs Luton
Chelsea welcome Premier League new boys Luton Town to Stamford Bridge this evening with manager Mauricio Pochettino looking to get his first win as The Blues’ manager.
Carney Chukwuemeka scored on the weekend against West Ham but was forced off with a knee injury which will see him out for up to six weeks after undergoing surgery.
Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja, Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Trevor Chalobah and Mykhaylo Mudryk are all ruled out of this one due to injury.
Moises Caicedo is expected to make a full debut, while the injury to Chukwuemeka may well see Conor Gallagher pushed further up the pitch and Romeo Lavia is still a few weeks away from first team selection according to the manager.
As for Luton, Reece Burke, Gabriel Osho, Jordan Clark and Dan Potts are all ruled out still and seem unlikely to feature in this one.
Rob Edwards is unlikely to make many changes, if any, to the side that lost at Brighton on the opening game of the season.
Ex-Chelsea man Ross Barkley is in contention to make his Luton debut against his former employers.
Jacob Brown is pushing Elijiah Adebayo to start up front alongside Carlton Morris.
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