Luton Town will be looking to gain vital points when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League. This is the first time the two teams have faced off in a tournament since the 2006–07 Championship season when the home team won both games by a score of 2-1.
Preview (Luton Town vs. Crystal Palace)
In their last game before the international break, Luton was unfortunate to leave Old Trafford empty-handed. They lost 1-0 to a struggling Manchester United team. It came six days after salvaging a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Victor Lindelof’s goal in the second half was enough to condemn the Hatters to a narrow loss. Although head coach Rob Edwards thinks his team is playing well in the top flight. He has urged his players to be more dangerous in the final third.
Luton has six points after 12 Premier League games and is presently in 17th place. They are barely outside of the relegation zone. Everton has dropped into the bottom three after receiving a 10-point deduction for breaking financial rules. In their attempt to pull away from danger, the Hatters will undoubtedly be aiming for points in their next four games against Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Bournemouth. On paper, Saturday’s matchup with the former represents their best opportunity to open their account at Kenilworth Road. Their next home games are against Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Edwards and company will aim to get off to a quick start against a Palace team that has shown signs of defensive weakness in recent weeks. Luton has scored in four of their five league home games this season. Although they have only taken the lead once. Crystal Palace has only won two of their last nine games in all competitions. They were also feeling down going into the international break because they had lost three of their previous four games and given up nine goals. After losing 3-2 at Selhurst Park to Everton in their most recent game, the Eagles returned home empty-handed.
Team News
Mads Andersen, Alfie Doughty, Chaidozie Ogbene, Amari’i Bell, and Cauley Woodrow are all doubtful. They will be evaluated prior to kickoff. The Luton quartet of Mads Andersen, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reece Burke (all thigh), and Daniel Potts (ankle) are still out. Ryan Giles may start on the left wing in Doughty’s probable absence. Teden Mengi, Tom Lockyer, and Gabriel Osho are expected to stay in central defense.
Alongside Marvelous Nakamba, Tahith Chong will compete with Ross Barkley for a starting position in center-midfield. Andros Townsend, a former Crystal Palace winger, may continue to play in the final third. He will play alongside Carlton Morris, who is hoping to snap a six-game goal drought this weekend. For Palace, James Tomkins may be playing too soon due to a calf issue. Dean Henderson, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, and Nathan Ferguson are still in the treatment area with thigh ailments.
The return of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to the Eagles prior to the international break gave them a boost, and both players are expected to start against Luton, who will be looking to replace Jeffrey Schlupp. Joel Ward is anticipated to make way for Cheick Doucoure in the center of midfield, and Nathaniel Clyne will continue to challenge him for a starting position at right back.
Luton Town 0 – 2 Crystal Palace
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