Midweek action returns once again in the Championship as the action-packed winter cycle continues. On Wednesday, the struggling Hatters travel to Elland Road in a clash against Leeds United.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s fixtures, Daniel Farke's side come into this game at the top of the Championship summit, following a last gasp win at the Swansea.com stadium on Sunday.
After an unexpectedly poor start to the Championship campaign for Rob Edwards' side, Luton come into this game unbeaten in three out of their last four league matches, most recently defeating Hull 1-0 at Kenilworth Road.
Currently sat in 16th, a win at Elland Road could move the recently-relegated side into the top half of the Championship table.
However, a loss for the Hatters moves them closer to the relegation zone, as they currently sit only three points above safety.
Team news
Daniel Farke comes into this game with no injury-setbacks post Swansea and will have everyone available that travelled in the Leeds squad to Wales at the weekend.
Wednesday's game comes too soon for Issac Schmidt, as his return to training after hernia surgery is scheduled for Thursday.
Junior Firpo serves the last of his three-game suspension after an altercation with Millwall's Danny McNamara just before the international break.
Ethan Ampadu and Iliya Gruev remain long-term absentees for the Whites.
Luton also come into Wednesday's game largely unscathed, as boss Rob Edwards has a strong squad to pick from.
After missing Saturday’s 1-0 win over Hull through injury, defender Amari’i Bell returns to the squad after an achilles problem.
Edwards also has Jordan Clark available after serving a one-match ban against the Tigers.
Reece Burke, Shandon Baptiste and Tom Krauß were all withdrawn in the weekend win but the Hatters manager said at his Tuesday press conference that the trio are all fit to be in contention to the trip to Elland Road
Players to watch
Mark McGuinness
With two clean sheets in the last three games, and a winning goal at the weekend as Luton defeated Hull 1-0, this could be the catalyst that is needed to kickstart Mark McGuinness' Luton career.
McGuinness will need to be on top form against a Leeds side whose 28 league goals so far is only bettered by Middlesbrough (29).
Set-pieces will be crucial in this match, and if McGuinness can provide both offensively and defensively, Luton have a real chance of causing an upset at Elland Road.
Daniel James
The Welsh speedster has had a very chaotic career since arriving at Leeds, but now we are finally seeing how influential James can be at this level.
Despite minor niggles and injuries, James has started the season in blistering form, and this continued on Sunday as he contributed to three of United’s four goals.
Leeds have a plethora of attacking talent, but it's a testament to James that the likes of Largie Ramazani and Wilfried Gnonto were limited to substitute appearances at the weekend, as he single handedly dragged the league leaders back into the game.
The narrative around James has always been around his end product, and the lack of it.
However, as well as an increased output for the Whites this season, James has also shown an increased level of composure in his game. Wilfried Gnonto’s 91st minute goal on Sunday was a perfect example of this, as James received the ball on the edge of the box, took his time and found Gnonto through a pack of Swansea defenders to win Leeds the game.
With Amari Bell back, and Alfie Doughty applying his trade at left-wing-back for Luton, the Welshman will have to be at the top of his game, but on this form there's no reason as to why he cannot have another successful night for the league leaders.
Key Details
The match will kick-off on the 27th November 2024 at 19:45 GMT, and will be broadcasted live on SkySports+.
