After rescuing a late, emphatic point away at Derby County, Luton Town next face 22nd place Hull City on Saturday. 

The Tigers come to Kenilworth Road in a bit of a rut, with only one win in their last five games. That win came against Middlesbrough back in early October and has been only one of three wins so far this season for Grant McCann's men.

On the contrary to Saturday's opponents, Nathan Jones' Luton side are in a good vein of form. They've suffered only one defeat their last five games in the EFL Championship. Town supporters have seen emphatic wins against Coventry and Millwall balanced out with draws against Huddersfield and now Derby

A win against the visitors would provide Luton with consecutive league wins over Hull for the first time since September 2005. However, this may be made more difficult by striker Tom EavesThe ex-Gillingham man enjoys visits to this ground, scoring in two of his last three Football League appearances at Kenilworth Road. These came with Yeovil in August 2016 and with the Gills in March 2019.

Embed from Getty Images

Plus, Hull have won five of their last six away matches against Luton in all competitions, winning each of their last three in a row. In general, the Hatters will be looking to improve on home form. Three of their last seven matches at home have ended goalless. In the other four, 19 goals were scored in an even smattering of a 3-3 draw, a 5-0 defeat and a 5-0 win. 

Fans of the East Yorkshire outfit will be looking for a change of fortunes too. Not only are they in the bottom three propping up the table, Hull have lost five of their seven league games. That's as many as they had in their previous 24.

  • Teams

The result at Pride Park on Tuesday night stemmed mainly from Nathan Jones' interesting decision to make substitutions just after the half hour mark. Fred Onyedinma and Admiral Muskwe replaced Kal Naismith and Jordan Clark respectively. With a late comeback the result of a tactical rejig - Jones has some decisions to make before Hull come to town. 

Simon Sluga will likely continue in goal, but will be searching for a first clean sheet at home since the beginning of October. Jones may revert to a back four as Kal Naismith is suspended. That will see Amari'i Bell and James Bree drop further back next to Tom Lockyer and Sonny Bradley

Henri Lansbury may slot in to midfield after impressing off the bench against Derby. Meanwhile, recent good form and his winning Luton's Diamond Player of the Month, Luke Berry may be in for a start at the no. 10 role. 

Cornick, Onyedinma and Adebayo will likely start up top, capping a potential 4-2-3-1 formation.

For Hull, the onus will very much be on the offensive side as Grant McCann looks for a striker of his to hit form. Josh Magennis got on the scoresheet against Peterborough midweek and will likely continue up front. That said, only two Hull players have netted more than once since their return to the Championship. 

Embed from Getty Images

Tom Hiddlestone is out with a hamstring injury and Richard Smallwood could come in to replace him. Tom Eaves came off the bench against Peterborough, but could be involved on Saturday given his historic goal scoring record at Kenilworth Road, either pairing with or replacing Magennis. 

  • Predicted lineups

Luton Town: Sluga; Bell, Lockyer, Bradley(C), Bree, Mpanzu, Lansbury, Berry, Onyedinma, Cornick, Adebayo.

Hull City: Ingram; Elder, Greaves, Bernard, Coyle, Smallwood(C), Honeyman, Lewis-Potter, Wilks, Magennis, Eaves.

Referee: John Busby 

Assistants: Ian Cooper, Matthew Jones

Fourth Official: James Linington

  • Ones to watch

Harry Cornick and Elijah Adebayo

Luton winger Cornick has had an inspired run of form in the last few games and although didn't score in the rescued draw against Derby, his passion was evident in the second goal celebrations. 

Embed from Getty Images

With Hull situated at the wrong end of the table, it could be another opportunity for Cornick to add to his goal tally. He now has six goals in 13 games so far with notable recent performances coming in a 5-0 drubbing of high flying Coventry and a 2-0 away win at the New Den, both of these games were two-goal performances from the ex-Bournemouth man. This season has seen an impressive step up from the 26-year-old as he's built on a disappointing previous scoring output.

Another player who has seemingly taken that step up recently has been Elijah Adebayo. Similarly to his offensive counterpart, Adebayo bagged a brace against Coventry. In the midweek clash with Derby, his goal was the one that sealed Luton's comeback and now the big front man is beginning to look comfortable in the side. 

Embed from Getty Images

His development has been difficult for sure, coming up from League Two side Walsall. But now, under the tutelage of Nathan Jones and veteran striker Cameron Jerome, the forward is looking more and more like a Championship level forward. He also has six goals this season and will be no doubt looking to add more on Saturday. 

Bernard and Magennis

For Hull, the difference makers could be Manchester United loanee Di'shon Bernard and striker Josh Magennis

Embed from Getty Images

21-year-old Bernard was one of few bright spots for the Tigers against Peterborough and could be one for the future on his return to United after this loan spell. Against Poshalthough on the losing side, Bernard won five duels and presented a fine passing display - offering up a successful pass rate of 85%.

Another key man in that game for Hull was Josh Magennis. Unfortunately, the Northern Irish international couldn't convert his penalty, although he did get one goal. Going forward, Hull have been notoriously poor and now with one goal under his belt, Magennis comes into this game with a bit of much needed momentum in the side who are 22nd in the league. If anyone can hit the back of the net for the visitors on Saturday, the responsibility likely falls to him.

  • How to watch

Coverage for Saturday's game in Bedfordshire will sadly not be televised, but audio packages are available to purchase via both clubs' iFollow pages. Additionally, updates and highlights will be available on respective social media sites and YouTube.

VAVEL Logo
About the author