2023-24 Carabao Cup: Third Round – Exeter City vs Luton Town

Exeter City look to cause a Third Round cupset against Luton Town at St James’ Park in 2023-24 Carabao Cup.

Victory would see Exter reach the Fourth Round for the first time since 1989-90 season, whilst Luton are looking to reach that stage for the first time since 2007-08 season.

 

Team News

Exeter have no fresh injury concerns to report following their League One loss at Oxford United.

Cheick Diabate (foot), Jack Aitchison (hernia), Ilmari Niskanen (shoulder), Admiral Muskwe and Dion Rankine (both hamstring) remain absent.

Luton have no fresh inury concerns to report following their 1-1 draw against Wolves last weekend.

Ross Barkley (hamstring), Gabriel Osho (knee), Jordan Clark and Dan Potts (both knock) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Exeter host Luton in their Third Round tie in 2023-24 Carabao Cup on Tuesday 26 September at St James’ Park in a 7:45pm BST kick-off, untelevised in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Exeter’s first meeting against Luton in the League Cup.
• Luton are unbeaten in three previous domestic cup visits to Exeter which all came in the FA Cup between January 1960 – November 2016 (W2, D1).
• Exeter are winless in their last six meetings against top-flight opposition across five ties – having lost 1-0 and drawn 0-0 against Oldham during 1992-93 season (D1, L5).
• Luton hav won just one of their last three Carabao Cup ties against lower league opposition (W1, D1, L1).

 

Prediction

Having suffered a tough defeat at Oxford Utd on Saturday, Exeter must put that loss behind them because they simply weren’t clinical which they can correct here if they turn up and play well with a tightened defence.

Luton meanwhile might have a leaky defence but they clearly are making progress, which was evident by how energetic and dominant they looked against Wolves but they really should of won that game if had been more clinical so improvement is required in their end product.

Exeter though are a strong team so Luton can’t afford to underestimate them in the way that they underestimated Gillingham from 3-0 up in the Second Round, yet I just don’t see them losing this because the Grecians’ priority likely is their promotion challenge in League One.

Prediction: Exeter City 1-2 Luton Town

Result: Exeter City 1-0 Luton Town