Chelsea vs Luton Predictions

• Chelsea and Luton’s three combined games have produced 11 goals.
• Chelsea are without a clean sheet in 13 competitive games.
• Nicolas Jackson has generated 1.14 expected goals in his first two Chelsea matches.

Blues make shaky start under Poch

Stamford Bridge’s Pochettino era has not got off to the greatest of starts but Chelsea should be able to get their first win on the board in a high-scoring affair against the newly-promoted Luton.

The Blues, after a shaky start, put in a solid performance against Liverpool in their opener but failed to impress against West Ham last weekend, losing 3-1 despite the Hammers having a man sent off with half-an-hour remaining.

They continued to look dangerous going forward, even after goalscorer Carney Chukwuemeka was forced off through injury, but their defensive issues remain unsolved and that will be something Luton will hope to capitalise on.

Expect goals at Stamford Bridge

The Hatters lost their first top-flight match in over 30 years at Brighton but it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the relegation favourites. Their directness in attack caused the Seagulls some problems and they should be able to do the same against fragile Chelsea back line.

These teams’ combined three matches have produced 11 goals and I expect another high-scoring affair on Friday. Chelsea are without a clean sheet in 13 competitive games but have looked much more dangerous going forward under Pochettino, while Luton were torn apart by Brighton a couple of weeks back, shipping four goals and seeing their opponents hit the woodwork three times. I’m backing over 2.5 goals for this one.

Jackson can guide hosts to victory

I do expect the hosts to get their first win under their belt, though. They have generated 3.54 expected goals across their first two games and scored three goals against Luton in both of their FA Cup encounters over the last couple of years, making a 3-1 correct score prediction appeal.

Anytime goalscorer punters should expect Nicolas Jackson to open his Chelsea account, too. The young striker has been a threat throughout over the opening two games, averaging three shots per game and generating 1.14 expected goals. This could be his best chance to get on the scoresheet.

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