Preview: Luton Town vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

The Hatters are yet to win on home soil this season, while the visitors are looking to claim maximum points for the third successive game on the road.

Match preview

Luton's poor run of form on home soil continued on Wednesday as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw against basement club Coventry City.

A lively start to the contest saw three goals scored within the first 15 minutes, with Carlton Morris scoring twice to put the Hatters in front, but a wonder strike from Gustavo Hamer just after the hour mark restored parity for the visitors.

Luton were unfortunate not to be awarded a late penalty when defender Kyle McFadzean appeared to palm the ball away from his own goal inside the six-yard box - a decision which a bemused Nathan Jones labelled "madness", "bonkers" and "crazy" at full time.

The Hatters, who have now won only one of their last nine competitive games at Kenilworth Road, have made an identical start to the new season compared with the last, winning two, drawing four and losing three of their opening nine Championship matches.

Luton did the double over Saturday's opponents Blackburn in the 2019-20 campaign, but they have since failed to win any of their last four meetings against them, a run which includes three draws.

The Bedfordshire outfit are currently sitting in 18th place in the table, just one point above the relegation zone, but a victory this weekend would see them move to within two points of Blackburn in third.

After losing two successive home games against Stoke City and Bristol City, Blackburn returned to winning ways at Ewood Park when they secured a 2-0 victory against Watford on Tuesday.

Goals either side of half time from Ryan Hedges and Dominic Hyam helped Rovers record their fifth Championship win of the season and keeps them within touching distance of Sheffield United and Norwich City in the top two.

Blackburn were actually a point better off at this stage last term, but Jon Dahl Tomasson can still be pleased with his side's start to the new campaign as they bid to improve on last season's eighth-place finish.

The Lancashire side have endured an inconsistent run of results in recent weeks, alternating between defeat and victory in their last six league matches.

Blackburn have only won one of their last six meetings against Luton - a slender 1-0 home win in January 2021 - so they will need to be on top of their game if they wish to head into the international break on a high.

Luton Town Championship form:

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Luton are set to be without midfielder Pelly Ruddock and goalkeeper James Shea due to knee injuries, while Alfie Doughty is doubtful due to fitness issues and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Carlton Morris, who has scored five goals in his last five games, and Harry Cornick were both standout performers in midweek and they are expected to retain their places in attack.

Jones may decide to make a couple of changes in defence, with Tom Lockyer potentially replacing Gabriel Osho at centre-back, while Amari'i Bell could come in for Fred Onyedinma at left wing-back.

As for Blackburn, Sammie Szmodics (head), Callum Brittain and Sam Gallagher (both leg) all remain sidelined due to injury.

Tomasson may decide to stick with the 3-4-3 formation he used in the win over Watford, with Dominic Hyam, Daniel Ayala and Scott Wharton continuing in the back three while Hayden Carter and Harry Pickering operate as wing-backs.

Star striker Ben Brereton Diaz is set to lead the line, with support provided in attack by Tyrhys Dolan and Ryan Hedges, while John Buckley and Clinton Mola will be pushing to start in centre-midfield ahead of Lewis Travis and Tyler Morton.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Lockyer, Bradley, Potts; Bree, Campbell, Clark, Bell; Freeman; Cornick, Morris

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Hyam, Ayala, Wharton; Carter, Mola, Buckley, Pickering; Hedges, Brereton; Dolan

We say: Luton Town 2-2 Blackburn Rovers

Although 15 places separate these two sides at present, a closely-fought contest is to be expected at Kenilworth Road.

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