Image source, Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino has won 85% of his Premier League games in charge against promoted sides (W34 D4 L2), the joint-best win rate of any manager with 10+ such matches. Both of his defeats have come in home games, however (1-3 v Wolves in December 2018, 0-1 v Cardiff in April 2014).

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking to Sky Sports: "Tonight should be first [league win]. But we need to respect Luton. It is a team we saw play in pre-season and against Brighton, they are a really tough team to beat.

"The beginning [of a season] is always difficult, but we have seen the strengths of this team. I think we were unlucky to not get more points so far, but that is football and sometimes you don't get what you deserve.

"In both areas you need to defend and attack well, score goals and not concede, be clinical in the right moments.

"It is only a matter of time for this team to improve. We are playing well, and tonight we will try to be better in the areas we need to improve."

Will: I don't understand how Todd Boehly can spend the money he has and Chelsea still have such an uninspiring line up. Pochettino is a magician but I think Luton will be the ones surprising us tonight.

Alex Howell
Football reporter at Stamford Bridge

Image source, Getty Images

Roma are in talks with Chelsea about taking striker Romelu Lukaku on loan this season.

Negotiations are at an early stage but the Serie A club could be the solution to the situation that Lukaku, 30, and Chelsea find themselves in.

Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter Milan and has not been included in Chelsea's pre-season preparations.

He is also training away from the Blues' first-team squad.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino was aware of Chelsea's plan to sell the Belgium forward when he took the job at Stamford Bridge in July.

"If the player and club's wish is to find a solution, it's not me, it's them. In that case, the player and the club will meet and inform me that things changed," Pochettino said in his news conference before tonight's match.

"I'm not going to move until the club or the player want to talk with me. I am here, I accept the situation that was here when I arrived."

It's a big night for both Ross Barkley and Rob Edwards.

This is what the Premier League is all about for any new side, a first crack at one of the big boys.

Where were you when the Hatters won at Stamford Bridge? It would make some story!

Luton Town

More from Luton manager Rob Edwards to Sky Sports: "My job is to play to my team's strengths and win football matches. We look at the opposition's weaknesses as well.

"We'll still try to evolve. Last year the team was really effective but we'll try to grow. It's very difficult to do that in the Premier League.

"No one has given us any hope but that's fine, it takes the pressure away. We weren't favourites to go up, it suited us. Everyone thinks we're going to go down.

"The crowd are going to expect a comfortable Chelsea win tonight. We've got to play on that."

Ross Barkley scored in his most recent Premier League appearance, a 91st-minute winner for Chelsea in a 2-1 victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge in May 2022.

Luton Town

Luton boss Rob Edwards to Sky Sports: "Ross Barkley and Tahith Chong are two great acquisitions. Both those two give us something different. You need a bit of X factor in this league.

"Ross is really hungry and we know what he can produce. Why not give him his debut tonight?"

Well, well, well, Chelsea and Luton fans I want to hear from you.

This is all set up for a Ross Barkley 30-yard winner, right?

Let me know using the hashtag #bbcfootball on Twitter/X. You can also text me using 81111 (UK only - standard message rates apply).

Chelsea make one change to the side who lost 3-1 to West Ham last time out.

Moises Caicedo makes his full Chelsea debut, replacing Carney Chukwuemeka.

Chukwuemeka is out of action after having knee surgery for an injury he suffered last weekend.

Mykhailo Mudryk also misses out after picking up a minor injury in training.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Disasi, Silva, Colwill, Gusto, Fernandez, Gallagher, Chilwell, Sterling, Caicedo,Jackson.

Subs: Bergström, Beach, Cucurella, Madueke, Ugochukwu, Maatsen, Burstow, Moreira, Humphreys.

Image source, BBC Sport

Luton make two changes from their first game back in the top flight.

Rob Edwards' side have not been in action since their 4-1 loss against Brighton 13 days ago.

Luton give a debut to ex-Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley while defender Reece Burke is fit again after injury and comes back into the starting line-up.

Mads Anderson and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu drop to the bench.

Luton XI: Kaminski, Bell, Lockyer, Burke, Giles, Chong, Nakamba, Barkley, Kabore, Adebayo, Morris.

Subs: Krul, Anderson, Ogbene, Berry, Woodrow, Ruddock Mpanzu, Brown, Johnson, Dooughty.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

Mauricio Pochettino is giving new signing Moises Caciedo his first start for the Blues.

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley will make his debut for Luton.

Image source, BBC Sport

So, Chelsea's starting XI will be interesting.

Team news in three minutes...

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Chelsea have one point from six but it does seem like they are getting a bit of harmony at the club with Mauricio Pochettino in charge and Raheem Sterling looks like he is playing with a freedom again and a smile on his face. It was just an unhappy club last season with the scattergun approach.

With regards Luton, they will really struggle. It could be a long, long season. I don't think they will score against Chelsea. Luton tried to play a bit against Brighton, when they lost 4-1, but they have to carry a threat, they can't just try and defend. Chelsea will have a bit too much for them and Pochettino will get a win.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

BBC Radio 5 Live

We don't have live radio commentary for you this evening, but we do have football conversation in the form of the Friday Football Social.

The team are on-air from 19:00-20:30 BST, with Aaron Paul joined by Nigel Reo-Coker, David James and Michael Brown, looking ahead to the weekend's matches.

You can listen via this very page, using the play button at the top.

Image source, Getty Images

We'll have team news very shortly, but we do already know midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka has joined Chelsea's long injury list after requiring knee surgery for an injury he suffered last weekend.

Mykhailo Mudryk also misses out after picking up a minor injury in training while Romeo Lavia is not yet match-fit.

Luton could give a debut to ex-Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley while defender Reece Burke is fit again after injury.

Gabe Osho has been ruled out while Dan Potts and Jordan Clark remain long-term absentees.

Luton have added to their squad by signing goalkeeper Tim Krul but Thomas Kaminski, who also arrived in this transfer window, is set to start as number one.

Chelsea were good value for their 1-1 draw with Liverpool in their season opener, but were beaten 3-1 at West Ham last time out.

Image source, Getty Images

As for Premier League new boys Luton Town, they were thrashed 4-1 by Brighton on their return to the top flight. They didn't play last weekend with their match against Burnley postponed because of redevelopment work continuing at Kenilworth Road.

Image source, Getty Images

If Chelsea want to get back on track, this is a game they should be winning. But Luton won't roll over. They're targeting a famous scalp.