MX23RW : Thursday, January 28 06:09:41| >> :600:196843:196843:
Jan 9, 2021 at 12pm UK at Kenilworth Road
LutonLuton Town
1-0
ReadingReading
Moncur (30')
Hylton (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's FA Cup clash between Luton Town and Reading, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Luton Town and Reading will face each other for the third time this season when they meet in the FA Cup third round this weekend.

Both previous games have been played at the Madejski Stadium - the Hatters won the League Cup fixture in September 1-0, while the Royals were 2-1 victors in the Championship on Boxing Day.


Match preview

Luton Town's Glen Rea celebrates scoring against Bristol City in the Championship on December 29, 2020© Reuters

Attentions will now turn to Kenilworth Road, where Luton have not been beaten in their last six games, while Norwich City, Bournemouth and Bristol City have all dropped points in Bedfordshire since the start of last month.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's first goal for the club proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory over the Robins at the end of December, before the Hatters' fixture against Queens Park Rangers last weekend was postponed after a number of players and staff returned positive Covid tests.

This weekend's tie is set to go ahead as planned though as Luton aim to get past the third round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2013, when they made it to the fifth round as a Conference Premier side, beating Norwich of the Premier League along the way.

The club have never won the competition but reached the final in 1959, while last season they were thrashed 4-0 by Bournemouth in round three.

Nathan Jones condemned his team's lack of quality in the final third following defeat in Berkshire a fortnight ago so will be keen to put that right as he prepares to face Reading once again so soon.

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic pictured in October 2020© Reuters

The Royals are currently fifth in the Championship table after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Huddersfield Town last weekend thanks to Lucas Joao's brace.

It followed a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Swansea, meaning Veljko Paunovic's side have lost just one of their last six matches on the road.

This will be Paunovic's first taste of the FA Cup after being appointed at the start of the campaign, with the Serbian saying that winning the competition is on every manager's bucket list.

Reading have never lifted the trophy but have reached the semi-finals twice, most recently in 2015 when they lost to Arsenal in extra-time at Wembley.

Last season, the Royals got to round five, having won replays against Blackpool and Cardiff City, before losing to Sheffield United.

Luton Town FA Cup form: LWWDLL
Luton Town form (all competitions): DWLDLW

Reading FA Cup form: LDWDWL
Reading form (all competitions): WLLWDW


Team News

Luton Town manager Nathan Jones pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Jones has said that he has a fully-fit squad to choose from except for Martin Cranie, who remains sidelined with an unspecified injury.

The Luton boss has hinted that former Reading man Gabriel Osho could make his Hatters debut against his former club after returning from a loan spell at Yeovil Town.

Paunovic has said that he is keen to give opportunities to fringe players and youngsters at the weekend but still wants to name a competitive team.

As a result, Luke Southwood is likely to start in goal, while there may also be chances for academy players Ethan Bristow and Tennai Watson.

The game could also present the chance for striker George Puscas to start his first game in two months after a groin injury.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Sluga; Osho, Lockyer, Bradley, Norrington-Davies; Rea; Cornick, Berry, Dewsbury-Hall, Clark; Collins

Reading possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Esteves, Holmes, McIntyre, Bristow; Watson, Swift; Aluko, Semedo, Baldock; Puscas


SM words green background

We say: Luton Town 2-1 Reading

Luton are likely to rotate far less than Reading, and Jones will be eager for revenge after defeat in Berkshire on Boxing Day, meaning we think the Hatters will progress from this tie. There will be several Reading players eager to impress, though, and they could take it to extra-time.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


ID:429500:cQx

How you voted: Luton vs Reading

Luton Town
Reading
Luton Town
45.5%
Reading
54.5%
44
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Reading manager Veljko Paunovic pictured in October 2020
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Premier League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich25165435211453
2Swansea CitySwansea25138430141647
3Watford26138530181247
4Brentford24129338221645
5Reading2513573728944
6Bournemouth25119538211742
7Middlesbrough2611693024639
8Bristol City25123102727039
9Stoke CityStoke2691073128337
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn25106940281236
11Preston North EndPreston26113123133-236
12Barnsley26105112934-535
13Luton TownLuton2596102127-633
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2694132937-831
15Cardiff CityCardiff2586113230230
16Millwall2561272124-330
17Coventry CityCoventry2578102434-1029
18Queens Park RangersQPR2569102331-827
19Birmingham CityBirmingham2568111830-1226
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2567122029-925
21Derby CountyDerby2567121625-925
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham2365122632-623
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2467111525-1019
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2336141635-1915

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