MX23RW : Monday, November 23 18:01:14| >> :120:82067:82067:
Nov 24, 2020 at 7pm UK at Kenilworth Road Stadium
LutonLuton Town
vs.
BirminghamBirmingham City

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

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Championship clash between Luton Town and Birmingham City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Birmingham City travel to Luton Town in the Championship on Tuesday night hoping to win their first game in four and move nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the Hatters are looking for their third home victory of the campaign as they aim to move closer to the playoff places.


Match preview

Luton Town manager Nathan Jones pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Luton have made it difficult for teams to break them down in recent weeks, having lost only one of their last six matches in the Championship.

The Hatters have drawn three of their last five matches by a 1-1 scoreline against Nottingham Forest, Huddersfield Town and most recently at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Nathan Jones has guided his side to 10th in the table having only survived relegation last season by three points.

Jones will be pleased with his team's defensive solidity over the last few weeks but will be seeking improvements from his attacking players, as the Hatters are one of eight teams to have scored only 10 goals or fewer so far this campaign.

A win on Tuesday would see the Hatters win their first match in three and could move them up as high as seventh in the table.

Coventry City's Tyler Walker in action with Birmingham City's Harlee Dean in the Championship on November 20, 2020© Reuters

A lack of firepower in attack is also a concern for Aitor Karanka, as Birmingham have scored just nine league goals all season, however six of those goals have come in their last five matches.

Their last match saw the Blues struggle to find the net once again as they drew 0-0 on Friday night against Coventry City, the fifth time they have drawn a blank this campaign.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, who scored 14 goals last season, has only found the net once so far this campaign as has forward Scott Hogan.

Birmingham are however six points clear of the drop zone as things stand and a victory at Kenilworth Road could see the Blues jump five places up to 12th in the table.

Luton Town Championship form: WDLWDD
Luton Town form (all competitions): WDLWDD

Birmingham City Championship form: DWWLLD
Birmingham City form (all competitions): DWWLLD


Team News

Luton Town's James Collins celebrates scoring against Rotherham United on November 4, 2020© Reuters

Luton midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and winger Harry Cornick could come into the starting lineup and replace Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Elliot Lee.

Winger Kazenga LuaLua, who started the last match against Birmingham in January, could be handed only his second start of the campaign, although he will be competing with George Moncur for a place on the left-wing.

Birmingham midfielder Adam Clayton remains out with an ankle injury but is close to a full recovery.

Aitor Karanka may decide to start Ivan Sunjic, Mikel San Jose and Gary Gardner in central midfield.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, who has gone four games without a goal, is set to keep his place in the starting lineup with Scott Hogan and Jonathan Leko likely to remain on the bench.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Sluga; Cranie, Pearson, Bradley, Norrington-Davies; Rea, Ruddock; Cornick, Berry, Moncur; Collins

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Colin, Roberts, Dean, Friend; Sunjic, San Jose, Gardner; Sanchez, Jutkiewicz, Bela


SM words green background

We say: Luton Town 1-1 Birmingham City

Both sides have similar issues in front of goal and have both shown defensive solidity this campaign. Luton have lost their last two encounters with Birmingham but should find a way to secure at least a point on Tuesday night.


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:423339:cQx

Who will win Tuesday's Championship clash between Luton Town and Birmingham City?

Luton Town
Draw
Birmingham City
Luton Town
67.9%
Draw
25.0%
Birmingham City
7.1%
28
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Coventry City manager Mark Robins pictured in October 2020
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich12732148624
2Bournemouth126511911823
3Bristol City127231611523
4Swansea CitySwansea12642147722
5Reading127141916322
6Stoke CityStoke126331915421
7Watford115421410419
8Middlesbrough1146195418
9Millwall12462119218
10Luton TownLuton125341012-218
11Brentford124531712517
12Preston North EndPreston125161614216
13Barnsley124441413116
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn124352215715
15Cardiff CityCardiff123541312114
16Huddersfield TownHuddersfield124261517-214
17Birmingham CityBirmingham12354911-214
18Queens Park RangersQPR123541216-414
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham123361013-312
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest12336914-512
21Coventry CityCoventry122371223-119
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe12228619-138
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds12336611-56
24Derby CountyDerby12138517-126

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