Burnley v Luton preview

Luton have had good results at Burnley recently with Luton unbeaten at Turf Moor since 1995.

However, the game has taken on immense importance for both clubs although arguably more so for Luton. Burnley at least have the comfort of two games in hand and 5 points more in the bag over the Hatters, and a vastly superior goal difference to all the other teams in the dogfight

Burnley are in a poor run of form having failed to win for 17 games, while Luton have lost 6 in a row and have not won away for 14 games.

Town fans will be hoping that Kevin Blackwell can instil a little belief in the flagging Luton ranks and take three points in their quest to get out of jail and stay in the Championship.

Luton have almost a full squad to choose from with Matty Spring coming through the reserve game in midweek without a problem and, while it may be a little too early for Ahmet Brkovic, Sam Parkin is unlikely to be fit until next season and Paul Underwood is a little way off coming into contention yet, the only injury worries are that Sol Davis has a thigh strain and Lewis Emanuel is suffering from a virus.

Kevin Blackwell has said that the slate is clean and all players have the same chance of impressing him and staking a claim for a starting place.

John Carver has been assisting Blackwell in training, and the new manager has said that he has had longer training session with the players in order to get some of his ideas over as quickly as possible as Luton commence the first of ‘seven cup finals’.

Burnley seem to have a much stronger and larger squad available to manager Steve Cotterill, including new loan signings Graham Coughlan and Paul McVeigh, whereas Luton’s two loanees, Clarke Carlisle and Bjorn Runstrom will be playing their last matches in a Town shirt if selected.

Foster and Mahon are still unavailable to play due to injury, and Andy Gray is not yet fully fit, but Ade Akinbiyi is back with the clarets and Luton fans will remember his hat trick at Kenilworth Road last season.

Djembe-Djembe may again be given the nod in midfield ahead of the out of form Joey Gudjonsson.

Since the defeat at Burnley in 1995 the results between the teams at Turf Moor have been as follows:



005/2006

Football League Championship

Burnley 1-1 Luton Town

1999/2000

Football League One

Burnley 0-2 Luton Town

1998/1999

Football League One

Burnley 1-2 Luton Town

1997/1998

Football League One

Burnley 1-1 Luton Town

1996/1997

Football League One

Burnley 0-2 Luton Town