Premier League Gameweek 20
Dec 30, 2023 12.30pm
2
3
HT : 0 2
FT Kenilworth Road Stadium
  • Jacob Brown 27' yellowcard
  • Teden Mengi 77' yellowcard
  • Ross Barkley 80' goal
  • Elijah Adebayo 87' goal
  • goal Cole Palmer 12'
  • goal Noni Madueke 37'
  • goal Cole Palmer 70'
  • yellowcard Axel Disasi 87'
  • yellowcard Malo Gusto 90'+4'

How Chelsea could line up against Luton Town

How Chelsea could line up against Luton Town

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will welcome two key attackers back from suspension for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

On account of being cautioned for the fifth time this season, neither Cole Palmer nor Raheem Sterling were available for Wednesday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, but the duo should be reinstated to the first XI straight away on Saturday.

None of Trevoh Chalobah (thigh), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Ben Chilwell (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee), Reece James (thigh), Marc Cucurella (ankle) or Robert Sanchez (knee) will be available, though, while hernia victim Enzo Fernandez is expected to remain out too.

The beating of Palace saw Romeo Lavia come off the bench for his Chelsea debut, but Pochettino confirmed after the game that the Belgian - who missed the first portion of the campaign with an ankle problem - experienced some thigh "issues" in his cameo appearance, while Mykhaylo Mudryk also needs assessing due to a knock.

As a result, Conor Gallagher and Moises Caicedo will likely pair up in the engine room once again, while the return of Sterling should see Ian Maatsen demoted to the bench after a rare starting role against Palace.

Mudryk netted the opener in midweek but could now cede his place to match-winner Noni Madueke because of his affliction, while Nicolas Jackson may be the one axed for the returning Palmer owing to his frequent game time over the festive period and another underwhelming display against Palace.

A second successive top-flight start could therefore come the way of Nkunku in the centre-forward role, while Thiago Silva is set to be reinstated to an otherwise unchanged defensive line, potentially in place of Benoit Badiashile.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Silva, Colwill; Caicedo, Gallagher; Madueke, Palmer, Sterling; Nkunku

POLL
Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Luton and Chelsea?
Luton Town 32%
Draw 16%
Chelsea 52%
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