Chelsea will face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup second round on Thursday evening at Stamford Bridge. The match comes a day after their victory over Fulham and sees Xabi Alonso expected to make several changes due to the quick turnaround.
Chelsea are set to name a strong starting XI despite resting several first-team regulars. Mike Penders is expected to start in goal after Robert Sanchez's costly errors against Fulham. Malo Gusto will operate at right-back in a four-man defence, with Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato making back-to-back starts in central defence and left-back respectively. Chavarria is set to debut at left wing-back.
In midfield, Valentin Barco will make his full debut alongside Reggie Watson, who impressed in pre-season. Enzo Fernandez's starting status remains a talking point, though Sam Truelove believes he should start alongside Barco despite the surrounding noise. Geovany Quenda will play on the right wing, Jamie Gittens on the left, and Estevao Willian in the number ten role, with Danny Welbeck leading the line.
Luton Town have conceded five goals in their first two League One games this season, leaving them with a goal difference of -1. They currently sit third in the League One table on four points from two games, with a record of one win, one draw and no losses, and recent form of DW. They are two points behind leaders Bradford and will face Mansfield Town away on 30 August.
Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers are all set to be rested for the Carabao Cup tie. Chelsea's squad depth includes Reece James, Romeo Lavia, Lacroix, Neto and others, giving Alonso plenty of options for rotation. The Blues' new-look attack of Estevao, Gittens and Welbeck has been highlighted as having enough quality to score against Luton Town.
Bobby Vincent said: "I think Alonso should go with a four-back formation to be more attacking given the nature of the game." Chelsea could line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Penders; Gusto, Acheampong, Hato, Chavarria; Barco, Watson; Quenda, Estevao, Gittens; Welbeck. Alternatively, a 3-4-3 shape is also possible: Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Hato; Neto, Fernandez, Barco, Chavarria; Estevao, Welbeck, Gittens.
Sam Truelove said: "It seems an ideal opportunity to start Barco in the centre of midfield and I would start Fernandez alongside him, despite all the noise surrounding the Argentine." This match represents a chance for several young players to stake their claims for more regular involvement.
The game will be covered by Football London, with both sides looking to advance in the competition. Chelsea enter the Carabao Cup at an earlier stage after failing to qualify for Europe, while Luton Town will aim to cause an upset against a rotated but still strong Chelsea side. Fans can check upcoming fixtures on our fixtures page and follow Luton Town's progress via our standings hub.
