Luton Town have confirmed their starting lineup for their EFL Cup second-round match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The tie kicks off at 12 am IST on Thursday, 28th August.
Chelsea, managed by Xabi Alonso, began their new era with a 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday. Luton Town, under Jack Wilshere, come into the game in strong form, sitting third in League One with four points from two games. Their recent form reads DW, and they have scored six goals while conceding five this season.
Xabi Alonso has selected a strong Chelsea side featuring Penders in goal, with a defensive line of Gusto, Acheampong, Lacroix, and Chavarria. James, Barco, and Estevao are in midfield, supporting attackers Palmer, Rogers, and Welbeck. Notable names on the bench include Sanchez, Anselmino, and Joao Pedro. Cole Palmer is among the substitutes for this match.
Jack Wilshere's Luton Town starting eleven sees Keeley start in goal. The back four consists of Ashby, Odoffin, Jhonston, and Benagr. Walsh and Palmer anchor the midfield, with Lawrence, Kodua, and Marshall providing the attacking threat. The bench options include Shea, Naismith, Andersen, and Cole. Fans can view the full squad details on our squad page.
These two sides last met in December 2023, a Premier League encounter that Chelsea won 3-2 at Kenilworth Road. The Blues have a dominant record against clubs from outside the top division in this competition, winning 27 of their last 28 such EFL Cup matches. Their last defeat in that category was a penalty shootout loss to Burnley in November 2008, a run of 19 consecutive wins.
Chelsea are five-time EFL Cup winners, though their last triumph came in 2015. They reached the semi-finals last season but were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate by Arsenal. Luton Town finished the 2025-26 season on a 12-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, recording nine wins and three draws. They have started this new campaign with two wins and a draw from their first three matches.
This cup tie presents a significant challenge for Wilshere's side, who are currently two points behind League One leaders Bradford City. The immediate focus after this game returns to the league, with a trip to face Mansfield Town scheduled for 30th August. Mansfield currently sit 11th in the table.
The match offers Luton Town a chance to test themselves against Premier League opposition and continue their positive momentum. A strong performance at Stamford Bridge could provide a valuable boost ahead of a busy period of league fixtures. The team's current goal difference of +1 reflects a productive but slightly leaky start to the season, an area they will look to tighten.
