Luton Town welcome Huddersfield Town to Kenilworth Road in the first leg of their play-off semi-final in 2021-22 Sky Bet Championship.
Victory for either team will give them the advantage heading into the return leg at Huddersfield on Monday 16 May (7:45pm BST).
Team News
Goalkeeper, Matt Ingram is available for Luton after his emergency loan from Hull City was extended until the conclusion of the Hatters’ play-offs campaign.
Elijah Adebayo is a doubt as he nears a first-team return from a hamstring injury.
Fred Onyedinma (groin), Jed Steer (Achilles), Glen Rea, Reece Burke, Gabriel Osho (all hamstring), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu (knee) and James Shea (cruciate) are ruled out.
Huddersfield could welcome Lewis O’Brien back into contention after he missed last weekend’s win over Bristol City with an abdominal injury.
Sorba Thomas and Matty Pearson (both knee) are doubts but won’t be fit enough for selection in the starting eleven, although they could make the bench if pass late fitness checks.
Ryan Schofield (shoulder) and Alex Vallejo (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is Luton’s first clash against Huddersfield in a post regular-season play-off.
- Huddersfield are winless in three Championship visits to Luton (D2, L1).
- Luton are yet to score against Huddersfield this season – having drawn 0-0 in October 2021 then lost 2-0 at Huddersfield in April 2022.
- Luke Berry has averaged more shots on target per 90 minutes than any other Luton player this season, having averaged 1.27 shots in 13 appearances.
- No Huddersfield players have been utilised as substitutes on more occasions in the Championship than Oliver Turton, Josh Koroma, Jordan Rhodes and Frazier Campbell who all came on as subs 15 times.
Prediction
Despite having a huge injury crisis on their hands, Luton did incredibly well to dominate Reading last Saturday amidst a lucky winner from a goalkeeping error but they’re going to have to again raise their game because this first leg realistically looks crucial for their promotion hopes.
Win or draw and they can go to Huddersfield on Monday right in the mix for a spot at Wembley, otherwise defeat could make life very difficult for Nathan Jones’ Hatters given that they’re yet to score against the Terriers this season.
Huddersfield meanwhile looked incredibly comfortable in their win against Bristol City but now face a tricky trip to a daunting Kenilworth Road, where they could only snatch a goalless draw last October so getting the first goal could be important heading into their home leg on Monday.
This is the Play-Offs though where anything can happen but if either team concede twice without reply here, the return leg will be a uphill struggle although I can see both teams finding the net given Luton’s home form since November and Huddersfield’s recent form.
Prediction: Luton 1-1 Huddersfield
Result: Luton 1-1 Huddersfield