Luton Town return to Championship action against promotion hunting Preston North End. The Championship strugglers have re-appointed their former promotion-winning manager Nathan Jones in a bid to get themselves out of trouble.
Alex Neil’s Preston head into this game occupying the final play-off spot, but they must keep winning their matches with survival sides chasing them down.
Nathan Jones Kicks Off His Return to Luton Town Against Preston North End
A Winning Start is Imperative for Luton Town
Luton Town kick off their bid for Championship survival against promotion-chasing Preston. The Hatters head into this game knowing three points are imperative for their chances of survival.
During the league suspension, the club decided to dismiss manager Graeme Jones after just nine months in the role. He left the club 23rd in the Championship table and six points adrift of safety.
The club have turned to their former promotion-winning manager Nathan Jones. Jones departed the club in January 2019 to join Stoke City but struggled to make the desired impact at the Potters. However, both Jones and the fans are delighted with the club’s decision.
Jones has been given a difficult task of keeping Luton in the Championship. Their form prior to the league suspension was slowly improving having gone three unbeaten and losing just one of their previous six games.
Brendan Galloway and Eunan O’Kane are ruled out with injury. Nathan Jones will no doubt want to implement his style on the team so there could be changes to the team.
Luton must carry that momentum forward in the final nine matches of the season.
Preston Need to Reignite Their Promotion Bid
Preston head to Kenilworth Road knowing they must win to maintain their play-off place. The Lilywhites have been excellent this season but their form prior to the league suspension was disappointing.
Preston have lost four of their last five games, which has left them in sixth place and four points behind Nottingham Forest and Brentford. The break may have come at a good time for Preston, having found results hard to come by. It certainly would have allowed Alex Neil to assess their mistakes and re-energise his players for the final nine games of the season.
Neil knows his side are being chased in the battle for sixth place. A win at Kenilworth Road is crucial for them keeping a tight grip on that final play-off place.
Louis Moult is ruled out long-term with injury. Tom Bayliss and Billy Bodin are thought to be fully fit having recovered from injury. Jayden Stockley’s involvement is unknown after the striker tested positive for Coronavirus a few weeks ago.
The Previous Meeting
Preston snatched a late winner when the two sides met in December courtesy of Stockley. It finished 2-1 to the Lilywhites and Preston will be delighted with a similar result this weekend.
Prediction
Both teams will need time to adapt to the new normalities of football. Luton head into this desperate for three points and are in better form. Nathan Jones will be up for this game and determined to get Luton out of trouble.
Preston have lost four of their last five and Alex Neil will demand a positive result from his team.
Prediction: Luton Town 0-1 Preston North End
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