Lutonvs.QPR

The sides, who sit in 19th and 23rd place in the standings respectively, lock horns for the second time in three days after their EFL Cup second round tie.

Match preview

Given their spirited effort in the Premier League, hopes were high that Luton would quickly make the transition back into EFL life and feature in the top half of the table.

Instead, Rob Edwards finds himself needing to rouse a team that have failed to win in four matches in all competitions, scoring just two goals in the process.

Luton have improved since losing 4-1 at home to Burnley in their first game, and credit is warranted for holding Portsmouth to a goalless draw after the first-half dismissal of their goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, a 1-0 defeat at Preston North End was followed by a 1-1 draw at QPR in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, their hosts prevailing 4-1 in a penalty shootout.

Although Edwards will continue to be backed at Kenilworth Road, he needs to get a win on the board as soon as possible, ideally on Friday with a victory enough to move Luton into at least 12th position.

From QPR's perspective, they are on a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions, helped by progressing through two rounds of the EFL Cup.

However, they are still without success in the Championship, albeit with one of their two points coming from a stirring comeback at another relegated Premier League side in Sheffield United.

The big disappointments have come at Loftus Road, Marti Cifuentes first watching West Bromwich Albion record a 3-1 victory before his side failed to make the most of their advantage against Plymouth Argyle.

Wayne Rooney's side were down to 10 men for over an hour and had nine men in added-on time, yet QPR had to settle for a 1-1 draw that would have felt like a defeat.

QPR also head into this encounter having failed to keep a clean sheet in five matches, although they have netted in each of the same games.

Luton Town Championship form:

L

D

L

Luton Town form (all competitions):

Queens Park Rangers Championship form:

Queens Park Rangers form (all competitions):

Team News

Given the quick turnaround and the changes that were made for the EFL Cup tie, Edwards will likely revert back to a similar Luton XI from the Preston game.

Mark McGuinness will return to the back three, while fellow new arrival Liam Walsh will be considered for a start after two substitute outings.

Marvelous Nakamba made his first appearance of the season after injury on Tuesday, but the midfielder is expected to drop down to the bench for this contest.

Cifuentes must decide whether to select Nicolas Madsen or Jack Colback in midfield, the latter back in contention after a ban.

The likes of Sam Field and Michael Frey will return in the engine room and attack respectively having remained as unused substitutes in the EFL Cup.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Shea; Mengi, McGuinness, Bell; Ogbene, Baptiste, Clark, Doughty; Morris, Chong; Adebayo

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:

Nardi; Dunne, Cook, Clarke-Salter, Paal; Madsen, Field; Smyth, Dembele, Saito; Frey

We say: Luton Town 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Luton will welcome the opportunity to return back to Kenilworth Road given their recent schedule and we feel that it could prove pivotal to the end result. QPR will pose a threat against the Hatters, yet the home side could come through with a hard-fought win.

Previews by email