Championship | Gameweek 20

Dec 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Kenilworth Road Stadium

Luton vs Stoke

Match preview

After suffering relegation from the Premier League last season, placing 18th with 26 points and six points adrift of safety, Luton would have been aiming to secure promotion back to the top flight this campaign.

The Hatters have had a rough start to the 2024-25 season. They're currently 18th in the standings with just 19 points from their first 19 games. That puts them two points above the drop zone.

They got off to a bad start with a 4-1 home defeat to Burnley, who they were relegated with last season. That loss seems to have set the tone for their campaign so far.

Rob Edwards's side have only managed to win five times and draw four times in 19 games, losing 10 times. They have the second-worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 34 goals, only behind Plymouth Argyle's 38.

Luton are also heading into this game without a win in their last three matches. They've lost two and drawn one, and they'll be looking to end that run here as they try to move away from the demotion zone.

Stoke have faced similar difficulties in the Championship since being relegated from the Premier League in 2017-18. They've managed to secure a return to the second tier for the first time since 2007-08.

The Potters have placed 16th, 15th, 14th, 14th, 16th and 17th in the Championship table in the six years since they were relegated, and it looks like they're on course for another challenging campaign this term.

Stoke started the season under Steven Schumacher, but he was fired after two wins and three losses in their first five Championship matches. They're currently 13th in the table.

Narcis Pelach was brought in as the new permanent manager, but the Spaniard hasn't been able to turn things around for Stoke. He's won just three of his 14 league games at the club, with six draws and five losses.

The Potters have also failed to win any of their last five fixtures heading into this one, three draws and two losses, a streak they will look to end as they aim to widen their current four-point lead over the bottom three.

Recent Performance

Luton Town Championship form:WLWLLD

Stoke City Championship form:WDDDLL

Team News

The hosts will be without Alfie Doughty (ankle), Reuell Walters (foot), Reece Burke (hip) and Liam Walsh (hamstring) for this match. The good news is that the latter two are likely to return to action this month.

Elijah Adebayo and Amari'i Bell were also injured in their recent 1-1 draw with Swansea, so Jacob Brown and Mads Andersen might start in their place.

The visitors will be without Ben Gibson, Ben Pearson, Bosun Lawal, Enda Stevens and Sam Gallagher for Tuesday's match due to ongoing injury issues.

Thomas Cannon is Stoke's top scorer in the league with seven goals in 15 appearances. It's likely that the striker will lead the line once again for the Potters in this one.

Possible starting lineup

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Holmes, McGuinness, Andersen; Hashioka, Krauss, Nakamba, Clark, Moses; Morris, Brown

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Rose, Bocat; Seko, Moran; Koumas, Manhoef, Bae; Cannon