Luton Town will look to avoid an upset in the fourth round of the FA Cup when they welcome Grimsby Town to Kenilworth Road on Saturday afternoon.
The Hatters, who play their football in the Championship, progressed to the fourth round following a last gasp winner at fellow Championship side Wigan Athletic to claim a 2-1 victory at the DW Stadium.
With the previous fixture finishing 1-1 in Bedfordshire, the game was taken to a replay up in Greater Manchester, with Wigan initially taking the lead just after half-time thanks to Thelo Aasgaard's strike.
Luton would equalise five minutes later courtesy of Cauley Woodrow's second goal of the season in all competitions and they would then go on to win the tie in the 98th minute, with a thumping strike from Elijah Adebayo inside the box setting up this fixture with Grimsby.
In terms of the league, Luton currently sit seventh in the Championship table, with only goal difference separating the Hatters and Middlesbrough in the play-off places, with Luton having a game in hand.
Luton's last result in the league was actually a return to the DW Stadium, this time, taking down Wigan by a 2-0 scoreline, with goals in both halves from Harry Cornick and Elijah Adebayo ensuring Luton claimed their fourth win in a row away from home in all competitions.
As for Grimsby, they will be competing in the FA Cup fourth round for only the first time in 23 years when they head to Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
The Mariners, who sit 16th in League Two, progressed to this stage of the competition by knocking out three sides in League One in the previous three rounds.
In the first round, Grimsby thumped out League One high-flyers Plymouth Argyle in a dominating display in which saw the Mariners pick up an impressive 5-1 victory at Blundell Park, despite going 1-0 down early on in the game.
Come the second round and Grimsby would be drawn with League One opposition again, this time against struggling Cambridge United away from home.
In the game, a brace from winger Otis Khan, which included a 90th minute winner, saw Paul Hurst's men claim a 2-1 victory at the Abbey Stadium and progression into the third round for the first time since 2019.
The result at Cambridge was set up for the North East Lincolnshire outfit to draw Burton Albion, with the Mariners winning 1-0 at Blundell Park thanks to a goal claimed by Burnley loanee Lewis Richardson in the 76th minute, moments after coming off the bench.
In terms of the league, Grimsby come into this FA Cup clash on the back of a 5-0 drubbing away at Swindon Town in their last game nearly two weeks ago, with their last couple of fixtures at home to Harrogate Town and away to Crawley Town being postponed due to frozen pitches.
Manager's thoughts
Ahead of the fixture, Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has insisted his players will need to be at their best to earn their place in the next round of the competition and how wary they are of Grimsby, who have knocked out three League One sides to get to this point.
“We’ve been talking about it all week and the only way we win is by winning this weekend,” Edwards admitted on Luton's official website.
“We accept that, we know we’re favourites, we’re at home, up against a team a couple of divisions below and we know what we have to do but all the while respecting Grimsby, recognising that they’ve knocked out three teams already from the league above them.
“It’s certainly not going to be easy, we’ve got to make sure that we’re at it, we’re respectful and incredibly hard-working as we have been because that is what helps us win football matches.”
Coming into this game, Luton are seen as favourites, with the Hatters sitting two leagues above Grimsby and are also within touching distance of the play-off places in the Championship. In the FA Cup however, anything can happen.
Edwards doesn't want his side to become complacent despite being favourites for the game and has stressed if they are to go through to the next round, his team need to be at the top of their game.
"We've got to deal with that expectancy and we've got to deliver a performance," said Edwards.
"Like I said, the only way we win is by winning on a weekend. We have to accept that pressure for this game and we have to turn up.
"We've got to expect a really tough game. They've got qualities and they've shown it by beating three teams a league above them. We'll have a game plan as we always do but we have to turn up and make sure we do the basics well."
In the opposition dugout however, Grimsby boss Paul Hurst has explained how this game at Kenilworth Road is a great occasion for his Mariners side with a sold out away following, but he wants his side to be competitive despite being limited with options ahead of the fixture.
"We are down on numbers but the player we have available are the ones that we've got to focus on," Hurst told BBC Radio Humberside.
"They are the ones that I want to represent the club and show that they're good players individually as well as being a team.
"We know it's a really tough game, but it's a game we can look forward to and enjoy because reaching this stage of the competition is difficult, especially for a League Two side fresh out of the National League. I think the players can take a lot of credit for that.
"I want us to go there and enjoy the day but also make sure we're enjoying it by being competitive."
Ahead of their first fourth round appearance for 23 years, the Mariners have sold out their full allocation of 1,500 tickets in the Oak Road Stand of Kenilworth Road, with the club encouraging the travelling supporters to bring along a 'Harry Haddock' to the game.
The inflatable haddock became synonymous with the club back in 1989, when hundreds of the 7,000 Grimsby supporters went to Plough Lane with an inflatable 'Harry Haddock' when they played Wimbledon in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
With this, Hurst has once again praised the travelling Grimsby supporters for selling out another away fixture and looks forward to potentially seeing a few inflatable Harry Haddocks on display in the away end.
"As a club, It's an occasion that we've got to enjoy," said Hurst.
"There is a bit more press about it along with another tremendous away following to see if we can cause an upset.
"It's a bit of fun for the fans but it's clearly something that is linked with the football club and I'm sure we'll see a few of them down at Kenilworth Road on Saturday."
Team news
Luton Town
Luton Town midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu could be in line to make his 350th appearance for the club on Saturday.
The DR Congo international has been with the Hatters since 2013 after joining the club from West Ham United initially on loan, with the move being made permanent shortly after.
“It’s an amazing landmark and he’ll get there whether it’s this weekend or whether it’s Tuesday, he will get that," expressed boss Rob Edwards. "I love him to bits already.
"I've not been working with him that long but he’s a brilliant person, he brings an amazing energy to work every single day, he gives everything every single day and you see that on a matchday.
“It’s incredible, brilliant achievement and shows what a good player he is as well because to get 350 games, he’s getting selected a lot. No matter what manager has been here in that period of time, they’ve picked him.”
On the injury front, attacker Fred Onyedinma could be in contention to start as he makes his way back to full fitness following an injury which he picked up in late October, with his imminent return pleasing Hatters boss Edwards.
“He gives us another dynamic, something different," said Edwards.
"That pure pace that he’s got, the trickery and the ability to beat a player and take a couple of players out of the game on their own, it’s quite rare in football. To have someone who can do that, or another one that can do that for us, is really good.
“We’re keen to try and get him involved and on the pitch but it’s got to be right to do so. It’s brilliant to have him back training with the players, he looks really comfortable and looks a lot more happy with his body."
In terms of transfer news, Luton have confirmed that defender James Bree has left the club to join up with former manager Nathan Jones at Southampton for an undisclosed fee.
Bree made 143 appearances for the club after initially joining on loan from Aston Villa, with the move being made permanent in 2019.
The Hatters have been quick to replace Bree however, with the club completing the signing of Leeds United defender Cody Drameh on loan until the end of the season.
Drameh joined fellow Championship outfit Cardiff City on loan last January and despite making just 22 appearances for the club, he was awarded the Bluebirds’ Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season for his impressive performances.
Grimsby Town
The big news for Grimsby Town is that they will be without attacker John McAtee for the trip to Luton as he is unavailable to play against his parent club.
McAtee signed for the Bedfordshire based club from Grimsby in the summer for an undisclosed fee, but was instantly loaned back to the Mariners to continue his development.
As well as McAtee, the Mariners will be missing a fair few players for a few different reasons ahead of the trip to Kenilworth Road.
Both Stephen Wearne and Mikey O'Neill are cup tied, whilst Danny Amos is suspended after picking up a red card in the defeat to Swindon, as well as Ryan Taylor and Jordan Cropper remaining out with injuries.
Despite those players missing, Grimsby could be set for a boost as a return nears for defender Luke Waterfall.
Waterfall has missed the last few weeks with a back problem but Grimsby boss Hurst expects the defender to be back in amongst the squad for the trip to Luton.
"Luke has come through training, so that's a positive for us," said Hurst. "We've lost others for various reasons, but Luke should be back."
In other news, young striker Lewis Richardson has been recalled by Burnley ahead of the weekend following his loan spell at Blundell Park.
Richardson scored two goals in 15 appearances during his short stay with the Mariners, a move which now sees Danilo Orsi and Ryan Taylor as the clubs only recognised strikers, with the latter out injured.
Hurst said on the club's official website: “We thank Lewis for his contribution to our season.
"Obviously the last one that he had set us up for this FA Cup game at Luton and I think that he showed, at times, what a good player he is.
"I think he could have a big future in the game so we thank Burnley for allowing him to come to us for the first half of the season and I’ll certainly be watching his career with interest.”
Predicted lineups
Luton Town
Horvath; Bell, Burke, Lockyer, Potts, Osho, Clark, Mpanzu, Watson, Woodrow, Adebayo.
Grimsby Town
Crocombe; Glennon, Smith, Waterfall, Maher, Efete, Holohan, Green, Clifton, Khan, Orsi.
Key players
Luton Town - Elijah Adebayo
With Luton being a competitive Championship squad nowadays, it's clear to see they have a lot of quality in their squad with the likes of Allan Campbell, Harry Cornick and Carlton Morris, who has scored eleven goals in all competitions this season.
The Hatters might make a couple of alterations to their squad that won at Wigan last week in the league but you would still expect striker Elijah Adebayo to play his part in some capacity this weekend.
The 25-year-old has scored six goals this season for the club in 27 appearances, which also includes three goals in his last three appearances in all competitions.
Standing at 6'4", Adebayo is clearly a big presence in the forward line with his excellent hold-up ability as well as his deadly eye for goal that he possesses in his locker.
One thing Grimsby have struggled with in recent weeks when they've played is failing to deal with strikers that can be seen as more of a physical type and if Adebayo is selected for the Hatters, his ability to ruffle a few feathers to opposition defences could be key.
Grimsby Town - Luke Waterfall
In terms of a key player for Grimsby, this is a difficult one in terms of them possessing very little options heading into the tie at Kenilworth Road, especially up front. In this case, the potential return of Luke Waterfall is coming at just the right time.
The 32-year-old defender has missed the last few weeks of action with the Mariners with a back problem but with him likely to be available for this game, Waterfall may be thrown straight back into the starting eleven.
Solid, commanding and possessing a dangerous header, Grimsby have missed Waterfall's presence in the squad in recent weeks, even more so following the 5-0 thrashing at Swindon Town in Grimsby's previous game.
If Waterfall was to be thrown into the squad, he, along with the rest of his defence, will be up against a physical challenge with Luton's forwards with the likes of Adebayo and even with the likes of Cauley Woodrow to an extent.
It's a physical challenge he thrives on and if he was to be selected, he, along with fellow defenders Andy Smith and Niall Maher, whether all three play or one misses out, will hopefully look make a difference to the backline with a tough afternoon expected.
We've met before...
This weekend's meeting between the Hatters and the Mariners will be the first meeting between the two sides in five years. The last time both sides played a competitive game against each other, Luton was a League Two club.
The last meeting between the two sides in all competitions resulted in a 1-0 victory for Luton at Blundell Park in early 2018. A strike from James Collins four minutes into the second half was enough for Luton to return to Bedfordshire with all three points.
The last time Grimsby beat Luton in a competitive fixture came back in 2016. A brace from striker Omar Bogle was enough for Grimsby to seal the victory at Kenilworth Road, despite Glen Rea's equaliser for Luton.
Match details
Where is the game being played?
Kenilworth Road will play host to this clash, the home of Luton Town since 1905.
What time is kick-off?
The match will kick off at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, January 28.
How can I watch?
The match will not be available to watch on television.
Highlights will be available to watch in the United Kingdom on the BBC and globally on social media the following day.