Chelsea's final match of 2023 is a Premier League clash away at Luton Town and a win may be needed to avoid finishing the year in the bottom half of the table.
The Blues are coming to Kenilworth Road knowing that their hosts have won their last two Premier League matches and have their eyes on a spot outside of the relegation zone. A win for Luton takes them ahead of Everton and into 17th.
Chelsea's late victory against Crystal Palace was deserved and there were reasons for optimism about what this young team can do in 2024. The lack of consistency shown all season, though, means that no Chelsea fan will be brimming with confidence ahead of Saturday's early kick-off.
Here is the starting lineup that Mauricio Pochettino may choose when Chelsea face Luton on Saturday lunchtime.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Luton Town (4-2-3-1)
GK: Djordje Petrovic - With Robert Sanchez still out, Djordje Petrovic will continue staking a claim for the number one spot.
RB: Malo Gusto - Fans were very impressed with Gusto's performance against Crystal Palace as he proved to be a threat throughout the match. His form could soften the blow of Reece James' absence considerably.
CB: Axel Disasi - The Frenchman is getting a good run of games now and as long as other defenders keep getting injured, he will keep getting chances to impress Pochettino.
CB: Thiago Silva - Started on the bench as a youthful XI lined up against Palace but is expected to take Benoit Badiashile's spot at centre-back for the match against Luton Town.
LB: Levi Colwill - Marc Cucurella is still injured which means Levi Colwill is going to have to play at left-back again, which is what allows Disasi to start in the middle.
CM: Moises Caicedo - The Ecuadorian has been featuring consistently in the past couple of months which has allowed him to get more settled at his new club. Chelsea need more players who are at ease in their roles.
CM: Conor Gallagher - With Enzo Fernandez expected to miss out with a hernia, Conor Gallagher will drop into a deeper role, just like he did against Palace. With Christopher Nkunku now fit, Gallagher will be fighting for a place more often.
RW: Cole Palmer - This spot could go to Raheem Sterling who is back from suspension, but so is Cole Palmer. The latter has been vital this season and should get the nod.
AM: Christopher Nkunku - Usually, Palmer would go here and Sterling would be on the right, but Nkunku's recovery from injury has been a boost for Chelsea. Pochettino has to give him a run of games and see what the Frenchman can do.
LW: Mykhailo Mudryk - The Ukrainian grabbed the opener against Palace and was a threat for most of the game. Pochettino should let him build on that.
ST: Nicolas Jackson - He missed yet more chances in the last game, but Nkunku's arrival and a rejuvenated Mudryk could be what Nicolas Jackson needs to become more important to this Chelsea team.
