Luton vs Chelsea Prediction: Free-scoring Blues should see off Hatters

Luton Town will be bidding for a third straight Premier League win when they host Chelsea at 12.30pm on Saturday, 30th December.

The visitors arrive at Kenilworth Road having lost their last four away matches, although Noni Madueke’s late penalty gave them a 2-1 home victory over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Team News

Luton’s Marvelous Nakamba and Jordan Clark face fitness tests, but Arsenal loanee Albert Sambi Lokonga should keep his place in central midfield. Issa Kabore, Dan Potts, Reece Burke and Tom Lockyer are sidelined.

Chelsea welcome back Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling from suspension, but Mykhailo Mudryk and Romeo Lavia are doubts and Enzo Fernandez is likely to miss out.

The Blues’ lengthy injury list also includes goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and England full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

Match Odds

Chelsea have lost their last four away games in the Premier League, but they are 1/2 to beat 5/1 hosts Luton at Kenilworth Road, while the draw is 10/3.

Over 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in seven of Chelsea’s last nine matches and can be backed at 4/6, while a repeat of August’s 3-0 win for the Blues at Stamford Bridge is 10/1.

Chelsea to win and both teams to score @ 2/1

Chelsea’s first campaign under Mauricio Pochettino has been characterised by sloppy finishing and defensive errors, but the return from injury of summer signing Christopher Nkunku should improve their ruthlessness in front of goal.

Nkunku came off the bench to score on his debut in the 2-1 Christmas Eve defeat at Wolves and, with Palmer and Sterling back from suspension, the Blues are expected to cause problems for Luton’s defence.

However, the Hatters have defied expectations this season, especially at Kenilworth Road. In their last five home fixtures they have beaten Newcastle and Crystal Palace, drawn 1-1 with Liverpool and suffered narrow defeats to Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Citizens had to come from behind to win 2-1 at Luton while Arsenal needed a 97th-minute goal from Declan Rice to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory at the start of December.

There have been goals at both ends in 11 of Luton’s last 14 league games so backing Chelsea to win and both teams to score looks a tempting price on Saturday.

That has been a winning bet in four of their last five league victories including the 4-1 away wins against Burnley and Tottenham. A 3-1 correct score is also worth considering at 11/1.

#PickYourPunt – 1st half draw, over 2.5 goals & Nicolas Jackson to be carded @ 12/1

Chelsea may take time to assert themselves at Kenilworth Road against a Luton side who have conceded only eight first-half goals in 18 league games this term.

A draw at half-time looks a solid #PickYourPunt selection as nine of Chelsea’s last ten league matches were level at the break.

Since the start of November the Blues’ matches have averaged four goals per game and Luton’s attacking threat at home means over 2.5 goals is also worth including.

Complete the treble by backing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson to be shown a card. Pochettino clearly wants his team to defend aggressively from the front – Palmer and Sterling were banned for the Palace game after reaching five yellow cards for the season – and Jackson is leading the way with eight bookings in 15 starts.

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