Luton continue their fight for Premier League survival against Newcastle United at Kenilworth Road.
Victory would see Luton stay 18th but move to within two points of safety, whilst Newcastle can stay sixth with a win.
Team News
Tom Lockyer is ruled out for Luton after he suffered a cardiac arrest during their away match at Bournemouth, which was subsequently abandoned.
Cauley Woodrow (calf) and Marvelous Nakamba (suspension) are set to return, with Nakamba deemed to have completed his ban despite last weekend’s fixture having been abandoned.
Dan Potts (hamstring) and Reece Burke (thigh) remain ruled out.
Newcastle could be without Anthony Gordon (knock), Emil Krafth (shin) who face late fitness tests, after they missed the Magpies’ Carabao Cup exit at Chelsea in midweek.
Fabian Schar, Joelinton (both hamstring) and Alexander Isak (groin) won’t be risked unless club doctors give prior approval.
Elliott Anderson (back), Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joe Willock (Achilles), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Javier Manquillo (groin) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Luton face Newcastle at Kenilworth Road in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 23 December, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Luton’s first Premier League meeting against Newcastle.
- Newcastle have failed to win in their last seven league visits to Luton (D4, L3).
- Luton have kept clean sheets in their last six home matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
- Coming into this matchweek, no player has lost more aerial battles than Luton’s Carlton Morris this season (88).
- Jamaal Lascelles has won 43 of his 67 aerial battles for Newcastle this season.
Prediction
After last weekend’s traumatic event at Bournemouth, it is difficult to predict how Luton will come into this game mentally because there will be a sense of relief that Lockyer is back home recovering but the whole situation would of shaken the squad emotionally on an individual level.
Somthing like last weekend though will of served to bond this team further especially coming into a festive fixture at home, where they have been more competitive despite their poor form results wise so I do hope that Lockyer’s discharge from hospital inspires them to chase the win.
Newcastle meanwhile just seem to lurk from one injury crisis to another as if someone has undeservedly cursed them this season, yet they did well to give Chelsea an almighty scare although they need to show more attacking desire than defensive unlike at Stamford Bridge.
Should Gordon not be available then that is another headache for Eddie Howe with only Miguel Almiron and Matt Ritchie available in the winger positions, and further strain upon a weary Newcastle squad which Luton might just take advantage of given their home form against the Magpies.
Prediction: Luton 2-1 Newcastle
Result: Luton 1-0 Newcastle
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