Chelsea host Championship side Luton Town this weekend looking to secure a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
After an underwhelming run of results and performances this is a chance for last seasons runners up to gain some much needed confidence heading into a huge month for the club and more importantly Frank Lampard.
The Blues come into the game off the back of a disappointing 2-0 loss on Tuesday away at Leicester and Luton who currently sit 13th in the Championship will be hopeful of causing a cup upset on Sunday.
Managers Frank Lampard and Nathan Jones have previously gone head to head on one occasion. Lampard was then manager of Derby County and Jones of Stoke City, ended in a 0-0 draw at Pride Park back in 2019.
Team News
In Friday’s press conference Frank Lampard hinted at making changes against the Hatters. Kurt Zouma and Billy Gilmour will be hoping to make their first starts since the 4-0 win at home to Morecambe. Lampard has struggled to find a settled starting eleven this season for a number of different reasons. But with a huge game on the horizon against Wolves on Wednesday it will be interesting to see his team selection on Sunday.
German internationals Timo Werner and Kai Havertz both scored in the third round win and will be looking to put in strong performances after a disappointing Christmas and New Year period for them both.
Thiago Silva looks set to be rested and one player who definitely won’t be involved is Fikayo Tomori who has joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season.
Luton look to set include midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the Leicester City loanee has scooped the player of the month award two months running for Nathan Jones’s side. Defender Tom Lockyer is suspended for his red card on Wednesday against Brentford for violent conduct.
Lampard on Sunday’s opponents. (chelseafc.com)
“Luton are going to be a tough competitor. They are going pretty well in the Championship, they are a good team, and this is the FA Cup and we know what comes with it. I’ll be picking a team to try and win the game and get us through to the next round.”
Match Facts
Chelsea will meet Luton in the FA Cup for the fourth time, and the first for 27 years.
The last time Luton played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was back in 1991.
Luton’s last victory at the Bridge was in September 1986, in the old First Division.
Chelsea are hoping to progress to the FA Cup fifth round for the 23rd time in 26 attempts.
Luton are appearing in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in eight years.
Form(all competitions)
Chelsea – LWWLD
Tuesday 19th January 2021 – Leicester City 2-0 Chelsea
Saturday 16th January 2021 – Fulham 0-1 Chelsea
Sunday 10th January 2021 – Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe
Sunday 3rd January 2021 – Chelsea 1-3 Manchester City
Monday 28th December 2020 – Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa
Luton – LWLWW
Wednesday 20th January 2021 – Brentford 1-0 Luton
Saturday 16th January 2021 – Bournemouth 0-1 Luton
Tuesday 12th January 2021 – Luton 0-2 Queens Park Rangers
Saturday 9th January 2021 – Luton 1-0 Reading
Tuesday 29th December 2020 – Luton 2-1 Bristol City
Predicted line ups
Chelsea – 4-3-3: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson, Gilmour, Jorginho, Havertz, Ziyech, Werner, Hudson-Odoi.
Luton – 4-1-4-1: Sluga, Bree, Rea, Bradley, Potts, Mpanzu, Cornick, Berry, Dewsbury-Hall, Moncur, Collins.
Score Prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Luton Town
The team is coming back on board, patient is needed, the present squad will make a better team come next season.