Luton look to overturn their first-leg deficit against Sunderland at Kenilworth Road in the second leg of their Championship Play-Off semi-final.
Trailing 2-1 on aggregate from the first leg after Amad Diallo and Trai Hume put Sunderland ahead following Elijah Adebayo’s opening strike for the Hatters, Luton now need to score at least twiceif they want to reach the Play-Off Final.
Sunderland meanwhile know that victory or draw would see them advance and face Coventry or Middlesbrough in the Play-Off Final, whilst a 1-0 defeat would send the semi-final tie to extra-time and possibly penalties.
Team News
Luton have no fresh injury concerns to report after manager – Rob Edwards made tactical substitutions during their first leg defeat, meaning that he could opt to name an unchanged starting line-up.
Sunderland could be without Alex Pritchard and Patrick Roberts after the pair suffered knocks during their first-leg victory.
Dennis Cirkin (ankle) and Aji Alese (thigh) are doubtful for selection, although Alese could make the bench if he can prove his match fitness.
Jewison Bennette (shoulder), Dan Ballard (hamstring), Danny Batth, Corry Evans (both knee), Elliot Embleton (ankle), Chris Rigg (unspecified) and Ross Stewart (Achilles) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Luton host Sunderland at Kenilworth Road at 8pm BST on Tuesday 16 May, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Luton are winless in their last 10 league meetings against Sunderland – including the first leg of this Championship play-off tie (D5, L5).
- Sunderland are unbeaten in five of their last seven trips to Luton (W2, D3, L2).
- Both teams have scored in each of their last five meetings, of which four clashes finished in 1-1 draws prior to Sunderland’s home win in the first leg.
- Luton have failed to advance to the Play-Off Final in each of the four seasons in which they lost the first leg of their play-off semi-final (L4) – since post-season play-offs were introduced.
- Sunderland have advanced to the Play-Off Final in each of the three play-off campaigns where they avoided defeat in the first leg (W3).
Prediction
Unluckily trailing by an one-goal deficit from the first leg and with a poor play-off record when they lost the opening leg of a semi-final, Luton know that they must continue to play with the same intensity albeit with better midfield control if want to score first to reignite their promotion dreams.
Rob Edwards’ Hatters should also note how crucial the crowd atmopshere has proven in both first legs of this season’s Championship Play-Offs, which should give them a boost at an intimate Kenilworth Road where the noise should be electric at full volume.
Sunderland however were able to utilise the home crowd’s raucous atmosphere to full effect and if they can play like they did at home, they know that there will be no fear although nerves could get wobbly if they concede first but they did come from 1-0 down in the first leg anyway.
Simply put, this game does feel like it could once again be decided by those small moments of magical quality, yet Luton need to score first if want to put the pressure on the Black Cats otherwise they could find themselves chasing the game if Sunderland get the opening goal.
A draw though does feel the more likely if both teams play like they did on Saturday, albeit as long as Luton can cut out their midfield sloppiness and try to get on the ball more.
Prediction: Luton 1-1 Sunderland
Result: Luton 2-0 Sunderland (Luton win 3-2 on aggregate!!)