Luton Town face their first Premier League visit to Stamford Bridge on Friday to face Chelsea night following a week out of action due to their postponed home fixture against Burnley.
Rob Edwards’ side will face a Blues outfit plagued by injuries, matters made worse due to the knock sustained by Carney Chukwuemeka during their 3-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
The 19-year-old scored the leveller for Mauricio Pochetinno’s side at the London Stadium before a knee injury saw him forced off the pitch prior to half-time.
Chelsea’s ‘special’ talent is just one of six players who are currently occupying a spot on the sidelines rendering them unable to feature against the Hatters.
Alongside Chukwuemeka is newly appointed captain Reece James, summer signing Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana, Marcus Bettinelli and Trevoh Chalobah.
A couple of key exclusions for the Blues will not make Luton’s task any easier, however, due to the depth of Pochetinno’s squad. Edwards’ men will still have to put in 110 per cent if they are to claim a result this weekend.
Luton’s record against Chelsea
The two sides have previously met on 45 occasions, the most recent encounter being in the FA Cup during the 2021/22 season in which the visitors ran out 3-2 winners at Kenilworth Road.
For the Hatters’ last trip to Stamford Bridge you do not have to search back much further, as the campaign prior to their last face-off saw another FA Cup meeting take place – Chelsea again the winners, 3-1 this time.
Their last league meeting was in 1991, Luton won the fixture 2-0, perhaps a good omen for Friday.
Edwards’ men have been boosted with several summer additions, two of which stand a good chance of making their debuts against the Blues. Former Chelsea man Ross Barkley will be in contention, as will recent goalkeeper recruit Tim Krul.
Whatever the result, it is bound to be a spectacle on Friday night.