Luton Town begin life under new manager Matt Bloomfield this weekend, as they welcome Preston North End to Kenilworth Road.
The new boss joined the Hatters from League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers earlier this week and will be in the dugout for this weekend's clash with the Lilywhites.
Match preview
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Bloomfield inherits a team that has struggled to meet expectations in the Championship so far this season, following their relegation from the Premier League.
The hosts find themselves 20th in the table, just two points clear of danger, following a run of six defeats in their last seven matches in all competitions.
Their poor run of form led to the difficult decision to part ways with Rob Edwards, who left the club last week, two days before their FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest.
Although the club enjoyed the high of promotion to the Premier League under Edwards, the performances have not been up to standard this season and a change needed to be made, with growing fears of Luton suffering back-to-back relegations.
Their defensive frailties have been a key issue behind their struggles this year, as the Hatters have conceded 44 goals in 26 league matches, giving them the third-weakest defence in the division.
To make matters worse, their attack has also had trouble finding the back of the net, with an underwhelming 27 goals so far this campaign.
However, one major positive at Luton this season has been their form at Kenilworth Road, with 21 of their 25 points won in the Championship so far this season being won on their home turf.
The hosts will hope they can grab another win at home this weekend, as they come up against a Preston side that has only won one league game away from home this season.
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The visitors come into this match in 15th place in the standings, five points and five places above their opponents this weekend.
However, Preston will be aware that a defeat at Kenilworth Road this weekend could potentially drag them closer to the relegation zone.
After parting ways with Ryan Lowe just one game into the season, the visitors had a difficult start to life under Paul Heckingbottom, despite winning his first game in charge of the club against this weekend's opponents back in August.
Including that win against Luton, Heckingbottom has guided Preston to six wins in the league since taking charge at Deepdale, with a particularly challenging nine-match winless run between October and December hurting the side.
After ending that winless run with a 2-0 success against Cardiff City in mid-December, the visitors have picked up eight points from a possible 18 since, as they continue to show signs of recovery.
However, much like their opponents this weekend, scoring goals has also been an issue for Heckingbottom's side, with Preston netting just one more goal than Luton this season, with 28 strikes in 26 matches.
They managed another two goals last time out though, as Milutin Osmajic netted a brace in their 2-1 win against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday - a result that booked Preston's place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Team News
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Luton have a number of injury worries ahead of this clash, as Shandon Baptiste (calf), Alfie Doughty (ankle), Reece Burke (hip) and Tom Lockyer (ankle) are not due back until later this month.
Lockyer has not featured since suffering a distressing cardiac arrest on the pitch in a Premier League clash against Bournemouth in 2023, and was close to being available for selection again until he suffered an ankle injury in training recently.
In further bad news for the hosts, Teden Mengi is not expected to be back until April following knee surgery.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be without midfielders Robbie Brady (rib) and Brad Potts (knee) until February.
Elsewhere, new signing Jayden Meghoma could be in the squad for the visitors following his loan arrival from Brentford this week.
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Bell, McGuinness, Holmes, Walters; Chong, Nelson, Walsh, Krauss; Adebayo, Morris
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Kesler-Hayden, Hughes, Lindsay, Storey; Holmes, McCann, Whiteman, Keane; Greenwood, Jakobsen
We say: Luton Town 2-1 Preston North End
We think that Luton will begin life under their new boss with a win this weekend, as they come up against a Preston team that have not performed on their travels so far this season.
A win here would provide a big boost for the Hatters, as they look to steer themselves away from the drop zone in the Championship, and we think they will continue to lean on their good home form with another win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
