The Imps will look to extend their unbeaten run to ten matches this weekend as Luton Town visit Sincil Bank for the first time in over eight years.
Luton Town Form
In the past decade, Luton Town have had three promotions, two relegations and a campaign in the top-flight, all resulting in a period of time which has had just about everything. After reaching the pinnacle of the pyramid, the Hatters have suffered back-to-back relegations and have returned to the third tier, but with a refreshed squad, they now aim to bounce back immediately and secure automatic promotion.
The Hatters kicked off their 25/26 campaign with a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Wimbledon as a result of a Ryan Johnson own-goal five minutes from time, earning them three points to start the season. A visit to Peterborough was up next, and with goals from Mads Andersen and Jordan Clark, Luton maintained their 100% start to the season.
The Hatters were on the road again in Matchday Three, this time visiting high-flyers Bradford City at Valley Parade. A late Gideon Kodua strike was not enough for Luton in Yorkshire, as they fell to their first defeat of the season, losing 2-1 to the Bantams. On return to Kenilworth Road, Matt Bloomfield’s side edged past Wigan Athletic 1-0 in a tight affair, before coming out on the wrong side of a hard-fought encounter with Cardiff City by the same scoreline.
The Hatters quickly returned to winning ways, brushing aside Burton Albion 3–0 at the Pirelli Stadium. However, despite seeming to properly click for the first time this season against the Brewers, Luton were defeated 3–2 by Plymouth Argyle at Kenilworth Road a fortnight later, making it back-to-back defeats at home. With only twelve points from seven games, the Hatters sit one place below City in the league table and will look to lay down their promotion intentions this Saturday when they visit Sincil Bank.
Team News
With all suspensions cleared ahead of Saturday’s clash, Michael Skubala will have a good few options to pick from, especially in attack. Rob Street will be available for selection after his dismissal against Wigan, and Frankie Okoronkwo may make his second league start for the Imps after being named in the XI at Burton last week. Usual absentees Dom Jefferies, Lewis Montsma and Jack Moylan will remain side-lined with their respective injuries, and full-back Dexter Lembikisa could take a place in the matchday squad with a three game week coming up.
In the Luton corner, only two major names will be missing out on Saturday’s clash. After sitting out the opening of the campaign, Teden Mengi could feature after playing 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors Under-21 friendly against Reading on Tuesday afternoon, but is more likely to be managed carefully with a busy period coming up in the league. Furthermore, midfielder Liam Walsh has been ruled out for a period of time after requiring surgery on a shoulder injury suffered in training earlier this week.
Match Referee
REFEREE: Seb Stockbridge
Linesmen: Danny Jarvis and Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official: Garreth Rhodes
This season, Stockbridge has presided over seven league matches, with four taking place in the third tier. In these games, he has given out 35 yellow cards, one red and hasn’t yet pointed to the spot. Where Stockbridge stands out is discipline. At 4.25 yellows per match, Stockbridge is well above the group average of 3.80. That figure puts him alongside the stricter referees in the division, and he is already among those to have issued a red card.
Last season, the official oversaw Lincoln’s 4–1 win against Mansfield Town in August, before taking charge of City’s 2–3 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in November, where he issued four bookings.
Previous Meetings
In the past decade, Luton Town and Lincoln have played only twice, both coming in the 2017/18 League Two season where Luton were promoted automatically and Lincoln finished in the final playoff spot. The first was at Sincil Bank, with the two sides cancelling each other out in a 0-0 draw.
The reverse fixture at Kenilworth Road was a cracker. Luton came out 4-2 winners on the day, with Michael Bostwick and Matt Green scoring for City, while a certain James Collins was among the goals for the Hatters.
You must be logged in to post a comment.