Luton v Chelsea predictions: Hatters hopeful of troubling illustrious visitors

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Luton v Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BBC One, 7.15pm Wednesday

Best bet

Luton or draw double chance
2pts 21-10 general

Team news

Luton
Luke Berry and Jordan Clark should be available after injuries but Sonny Bradley (hernia) is out and Henri Lansbury is a doubt. New signing Robert Snodgrass could also be involved.

Chelsea
Hakim Ziyech missed the EFL Cup final with an Achilles injury but may return to the squad. Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are unlikely to feature and Ben Chilwell is a long-term absentee.

Match preview

Chelsea's heavyweight clash with Liverpool in the EFL Cup final on Sunday went the distance and their Wembley exertions mean the Blues are worth opposing on their FA Cup fifth-round trip to Luton.

Thomas Tuchel's side played their part in a goalless but engrossing 120 minutes against the Reds before losing 11-10 on penalties after goalkeeper Kepa walloped his spot-kick over the bar.

Luton manager Nathan Jones certainly won't have minded that outcome although Chelsea's squad depth is such that they are still hot favourites to win in 90 minutes at Kenilworth Road.

Tuchel's substitutes at Wembley included Reece James, Jorginho, Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Saul Niguez, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Malang Sarr didn't even make it on to the pitch, so whatever starting 11 Chelsea put out on Wednesday there will be no shortage of talent.

However, the Blues have not been at their best since the turn of the year and their hectic schedule in February and the unsettling off-field issues surrounding owner Roman Abramovich provide further challenges for Tuchel.

Their epic duel with Liverpool was the third time in three weeks that Chelsea had been taken to extra-time after they were held to 1-1 draws in 90 minutes by League One Plymouth in the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge and Palmeiras in the World Club Cup final in Abu Dhabi.

The European champions scored extra-time winners in both of those ties, although it took a 117th-minute penalty from Kai Havertz to see off Palmeiras, but there is no doubt that they are struggling for attacking fluency and they needed another late goal to pinch a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace in their last Premier League match.

Hakim Ziyech's 89th-minute strike, which gave them the points at Selhurst Park, was one of just ten goals scored by Chelsea in normal time in their last ten matches in all competitions since a 5-1 FA Cup third-round win over Chesterfield on January 8.

The prospect of a low-scoring encounter enhances the appeal of backing Luton to avoid defeat in 90 minutes, especially given that the Hatters have won six of their seven home matches in 2022, drawing 0-0 with Blackburn in the other one.

That run includes victories over Bournemouth and West Brom, two clubs who were playing in the Premier League last season, and Saturday's hard-fought 1-0 win against Derby boosted Luton's hopes of promotion to the top flight.

That result took Jones's men into the Championship playoff spots, having won nine of their 13 league games since the start of December, and they are unbeaten in seven home matches against other top-ten clubs, conceding only four goals in those fixtures.

In last season's FA Cup fourth round, a Tammy Abraham hat-trick gave Chelsea a 3-1 win over Luton at Stamford Bridge but the Blues may not find things so straightforward against a confident Hatters side this time around.

Key stat

Luton have conceded only five goals in their last eight home matches in all competitions.

Inside info

Luton

Penalty taker Elijah Adebayo
Free-kick wizardJames Bree
Set-piece aerial threatElijah Adebayo
Card magnetAllan Campbell

Chelsea

Penalty taker Jorginho
Free-kick wizardHakim Ziyech
Set-piece aerial threatAntonio Rudiger
Card magnetAntonio Rudiger

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport