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

Nathan Jones's men drew with Sunderland last time out, whereas Reading conceded late on against Burnley to leave Turf Moor empty-handed on Saturday afternoon.

Match preview

Hatters forward Carlton Morris bagged his eighth goal of the Championship season to put his side ahead against Sunderland on Saturday, but an Elliot Embleton strike in the closing stages meant the hosts had to settle for a share of the points.

Despite not being able to collect a maximum, it was another point on the board for Luton who are enjoying a spell of only one loss in their last nine second-tier outings, a record that sees them three points off the playoffs in ninth place.

A failure to convert draws into wins at Kenilworth Road has cost Jones's side from sitting higher in the standings after 17 games, having only managed two wins from nine matches in front of their home supporters, drawing on five occasions during that time.

Many doubted Luton's ability to fight for a playoff berth again after finishing sixth last year, but the Bedfordshire-based club have once again shown they are a serious contender amongst the host of clubs battling it out for a top-six place this season.

The aforementioned Morris and last season's top scorer Elijah Adebayo have formed an imposing strike partnership, one that Reading's leaky defence will need to pay extra attention to under the lights on Tuesday.

A 94th-minute Anass Zaroury goal made Reading's attempts to escape Turf Moor with a point unsuccessful last time out, a bitter blow for a side who have slipped down the Championship table since their early-season heroics.

The Royals occupied a playoff position after a run of four wins in five during August, but now a single win in the last six has seen them fall to 11th in the second tier, level on points with their hosts Luton.

Paul Ince would not have expected their playoff form to continue, especially as he reiterated even when his team were as high as fourth that Reading were still in a relegation battle and needed to remain realistic about their aims given the loss of key players over the summer and financial troubles at the club.

Having only scored six times in eight away ventures this season, Reading will be relying on the likes of Tom Ince to come up with a moment of magic at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday, with the manager's son top of the team's scoring and assists charts, having provided seven goal contributions in 16 starts this campaign.

Luton Town Championship form:

D

D

W

W

L

D

Reading Championship form:

D

L

L

L

W

L

Team News

Henri Lansbury is a doubt for the visit of Reading after being forced off with a knock in the first half against Sunderland on the weekend, with Luke Freeman likely to take his place in the starting XI.

Luton remain without defender Reece Burke due to a hamstring injury he sustained in the 2-0 win at Reading at the end of September, a big blow for Jones's men who have been plagued with injuries to key players so far this season.

Reading will be without midfielder Mamadou Loum when they travel to Kenilworth Road due to the two-time Senegal international picking up his fifth booking of the season in the defeat at Burnley on Saturday.

Ince is hopeful centre-back Tom McIntyre will be fine to face Luton after a head injury forced him off in the first period at Turf Moor, with the player a key part of the Royals' backline.

Liam Moore returned to first-team training last Thursday after successful knee surgery but is still a while away from appearing in the Championship for Reading.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Bree, Lockyer, Potts; Doughty, Clark, Freeman, Bell; Campbell, Morris, Adebayo

Reading possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre; Mbengue, Hendrick, Fornah, Baba; Ince, Ejaria, Meite

We say: Luton Town 2-0 Reading

Luton felt that they had dropped two points when Sunderland scored a late equaliser on the weekend and they will now be keen to record a victory in front of their home fans for only the third time this season.

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