Luton meet Leeds at a time when the Elland Road Club have lost 7 of their last outings, so they are overdue a win!
However, Luton’s record against Leeds shows 13 wins 14 draws and 15 defeats and Luton will want to close that small gap with victory on Saturday.
Injuries and illness still plague the Town but Leeds are managerless and have injury problems of their own.
Vital Quotes:
Mike Newell on www.lutontown.co.uk:
‘We would like to take advantage of the fact that they are not in great form at the moment and they are losing games.
‘They’ve just lost three on the bounce so you would imagine that they would come here desperate not to lose another one.
‘There have been a lot of changes in the last few years in the management, playing staff, coaching staff and even the boardroom, and it’s very hard to get anything going if there’s no consistency or momentum.
‘Similar to a lot of other big clubs, once you get on a downward slide the pressure of being at a big club and the demands of the supporters can often weigh heavily on you.’
Caretaker Leedes boss John Carver acknowledges their plight on Leeds’ official website:
‘This is a huge weekend for us. We have to get a result at Luton – if we don’t we could find ourselves bottom by Saturday and that is no good for anyone associated with this club.
‘I saw an improvement on Tuesday. Okay it wasn’t a big step forward, but the lads showed character and resiliance and almost got a result.
‘The characters are there in the dressing room. It’s a case of standing up to be counted now.’
Luton Town Team News:
Luton are likely to be without Lewis Emanuel (hamstring)and Ahmet Brkovic (rib), but Carlos Edwards and Steve Robinson have both trained and could play some part. However, the lads who came in last week have done well, and it will not worry Mike Newell too much if he has to field the same team which drew at Hull on Tuesday.
Player to watch: David Bell
My information from Rushden, when he signed, was that he was young and not the finished article, but he had the potential to play in the Premiership. He is showing those signs currently, and on his last two performances warrants a first team place ahead of anyone not fully fit. Could be the difference in this match.
Leeds United Team News:
Kevin Nicholls had another knee operation on Tuesday after catching his suds in the turf against West Bromwich Albion. He will be out until Christmas.
Matthew Kilgannon lost his appeal against a sending off and is therefore suspended for this game, but Aussie Hayden Foxe is fit again and may make his debut in place of the suspended defender.
Allen Wright could face a late fitness test, but Eddie Lewis is available after childbirth leave in midweek.
Player to watch: Eddie Lewis
Has played well against us in the past and when on his game is a match for anyone when he breaks forward.
Match Facts & Stats
Luton have won 13
rawn 14
eeds have won 15
Last Luton win was in 1990.
