In a crucial clash that could ultimately prove decisive at both ends of the Championship table, Luton Town will host Bristol City at Kenilworth Road on Monday.
The home side are third last in 22nd place with 43 points and languish in the final relegation spot, whereas fifth-placed Bristol City occupy the third of four promotion playoff spots and have 67 points following their 2-1 win against Sunderland on Friday.
Match preview
© Imago
Luton managed to beat Derby County 1-0 on April 18 thanks to Millenic Alli's 10th-minute winner, but they were fortunate that the likes of Jerry Yates and Marcus Harness squandered golden opportunities in front of goal.
The Hatters' overall defensive record has improved significantly in the past weeks considering they have only conceded four goals in their last seven, keeping three clean sheets while scoring six times.
Just two points separate Matt Bloomfield's side from 20th-placed Hull City, though his team face a difficult final three matches given they have to play fifth-placed Bristol City, sixth-placed Coventry City and eighth-placed West Bromwich Albion.
Luton come into Monday's clash in strong form having only experienced one defeat in seven games, winning on three occasions.
The hosts have also proven resilient at home, drawing three and emerging triumphant in one of their five most recent fixtures Kenilworth Road.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Bristol City were aided last time out by the fact Sunderland's Trai Hume received a red card in the seventh minute, though they mustered just two shots on target in the first half and only opened the scoring in the 55th minute after conceding first.
The visitors could secure a place in the promotion playoff spots should they win on Monday and if Middlesbrough lose against Sheffield Wednesday on the same day.
Boss Liam Manning led his side out to a 1-0 victory against Luton in the reverse fixture on December 26, with each club winning two of their last four encounters against each other.
The Robins will be confident ahead of their next meeting against Luton given they have achieved victory in seven of their 12 matches leading up to Monday's game, losing just once.
However, it should be noted that Bristol City have been held to stalemates in five of their past seven on the road, winning just one of those away fixtures.
Team News
© Imago
Luton will be without wing-back Alfie Doughty and centre-back Tom Lockyer, so expect a back three of Christ Makosso, Mark McGuinness and Amari'i Bell to be flanked by Isaiah Jones and Alli.
Kai Naismith, Thelo Aasgaard and Jordan Clark may be chosen to play in the centre of the pitch considering midfielder Shandon Baptiste is unavailable.
Striker Carlton Morris could be partnered by Lamine Dabo in light of Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown's injuries.
Visitors Bristol City boast a largely healthy squad, though defenders Ayman Benarous, Luke McNally and Mark Sykes are injured.
Centre-backs George Tanner, Robert Dickie and Zak Vyner were stationed in a back three against Sunderland, and they may start between wing-backs Ross McCrorie and Cameron Pring.
Manning is likely to trust Max Bird and George Earthy in supportive roles behind centre-forward Nahki Wells.
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Makosso, McGuinness, Bell; Jones, Naismith, Aasgaard, Clark, Alli; Morris, Dabo
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Dickie, Vyner; McCrorie, Williams, Knight, Pring; Bird, Earthy; Wells
We say: Luton Town 1-1 Bristol City
Luton have been much stronger at the back and will pose significant challenges to visitors Bristol City.
Though the away side are in excellent form, their showings on the road have been subpar, and they may fall short against their hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
