Preview: Preston North End vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts have lost their last three matches in all competitions, while the visitors are winless in two, having suffered a 3-0 defeat away against League Two side Grimsby Town earlier this month.

Match preview

Preston have now been in poor form for quite some time, losing seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, however they are still well within reach of the playoff places.

With 30 games played, the Lilywhites are 12th in the table, just six points shy of sixth-placed Watford, while they also have a game in hand at their disposal, so they still have the opportunity to make a success out of this season.

However, PNE's goal record is one thing that may need to change if they are to aim for the top six, considering they have scored the second-fewest amount of any team outside of the relegation zone.

Ryan Lowe's side continued to struggle in front of goal in their last match, losing 3-0 away at rivals Burnley, with Nathan Tella scoring a hat-trick to consign them to yet another defeat.

That said, Preston did manage to beat Luton in the reverse fixture back in August, with Brad Potts scoring the only goal of the game that day, which should give them confidence heading into Wednesday's encounter.

After achieving an unexpected sixth-placed finish in the second tier last season, Luton are on track to do even better this time around, currently sitting fourth in the league standings.

Given that the Hatters are 12 points off second-placed Sheffield United, it would be a stretch to say they are in contention for automatic promotion, but they are comfortably inside the playoffs, and could get another crack at reaching the Premier League.

A real advantage for Rob Edwards' side going into the game is their fantastic away record this season, picking up 27 points on their travels so far, the joint-third highest amount, and just one less than league-leaders Burnley.

The Hatters rarely run away with games, but their solid defensive efforts have often been enough to get them over the line, with their last two wins coming in closely-contested matches, defeating Stoke City and Cardiff City 1-0 at home.

Luton may be a little disappointed with their last result, however, drawing 1-1 away at Coventry City despite taking the lead, with Tom Lockyer's first-minute goal being cancelled out by a Matty Godden penalty.

Preston North End Championship form:

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Preston North End form (all competitions):

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Luton Town Championship form:

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Luton Town form (all competitions):

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D

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D

Team News

Preston will have to make do without Ched Evans, who is serving the second game of his four-match ban following retrospective action from the FA.

Thomas Cannon was chosen to lead the line in the absence of Evans last time out, but he is yet to score in four games for the club, so Lowe may instead go with Troy Parrott, who has now returned from injury.

Josh Onomah has made good progress in his return to full fitness, making his debut as a second-half substitute against Burnley, but he is still a little way off being ready to start, so Ben Woodburn and Alan Browne are set to play provider for Parrott.

As for Luton, Marvelous Nakamba has impressed since arriving on loan from Aston Villa on deadline day, and he is likely to keep his place in the engine room, playing alongside Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu.

Carlton Morris has not been in the best goal-scoring form of late, failing to score in his last five outings, but he should lead the line again for the Hatters, being supported by Elijah Adebayo, who has scored five in his last eight games.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Woodman; Hughes, Lindsay, Storey; Fernandez, McCann, Ledson, Potts; Woodburn, Browne; Parrott

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Horvath; Burke, Lockyer, Osho; Doughty, Mpanzu, Nakamba, Campbell, Bell; Morris, Adebayo

We say: Preston North End 0-1 Luton Town

Luton games usually tend to be tight affairs, so we do not expect them to win by many, but they should have enough about them to get three points on the board on Wednesday night.

The Hatters' away form has been fantastic all season, while Preston have put in some very poor performances of late, so the likely result is a narrow victory for the visitors.

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