With 6 games to play, the relegation battle of the Championship is incredibly tight. Luton sit in 23rd place, 2 points adrift of safety, although the Hatters are unbeaten in their last 4 games and picked up an impressive 1-1 draw with Leeds United in their most recent match. Stoke meanwhile are in 20th, 2 points clear of the drop zone with 2 victories in their last two home games.
This fall from grace is unthinkable for both sides. Stoke were an established midtable Premier League club until their relegation in 2018, whilst Luton Town were in the Premier League last season and look set for consecutive relegations.
In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Luton’s Elijah Adebayo scored a last-minute winner to earn all 3 points for the Hatters. However, both sides have since changed managers, as Mark Robins was appointed as the Stoke manager following the departure of Narcis Pelach, and Matt Bloomfield has replaced Rob Edwards in the Luton Town dugout.
The implications of this game will be significant. The winner will take a huge step towards retaining their place in the Championship for next season, but defeat for either side will leave them on the brink of League One.
Team News
Stoke City
Stoke have had many players return from injury in recent weeks, as Million Manhoef, Ben Pearson, Sam Gallagher and Ali Al-Hamadi have all returned to the starting lineup. However, the Potters will likely be unable to count on the services of Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Enda Stevens, who are both still recovering from their spells out.
City followed up a 3-1 victory over QPR by earning a point against Preston North End to a Lewis Baker penalty. Mark Robins has often spoken about making sure the home crowd is on his side, so it can be expected that he lines up his team in a similar fashion in order to achieve that.
Luton Town
Elijah Adebayo suffered an injury in the draw with Leeds, so he’ll join Jacob Brown, Marvelous Nakamba, Shandon Baptiste and Teden Mengi in the treatment room and they will all be unavailable for this clash.
Tahith Chong came on to replace Adebayo in that game, and he will likely come into the lineup on Tuesday for his first start since January.
The Hatters have had recent victories against relegation rivals in their last 2 away games, winning 2-1 at Cardiff before a 1-0 win against Hull. The 3-5-2 formation that they lined up in offered defensive stability in those games and will almost certainly be used against Stoke.
Likely Lineups
Stoke City
Johansson; Tchamadeu, Phillips, Wilmot, Bocat; Pearson, Burger; Manhoef, Baker, Junho; Gallagher
Luton Town
Kaminski; Bell, McGuiness, Makosso; Jones, Clark, Aasgaard, Walsh, Doughty; Morris, Chong
Key Players
Stoke City: Lewis Baker
Since returning from his loan spell at Blackburn Rovers, Baker has been instrumental in Stoke’s push to stay in the Championship. The midfielder has 5 league goals for the Potters this season, including one from the halfway line that saw Stoke defeat Swansea 3-1. Incredibly, that makes him City’s top scorer who is still at the club, as Tom Cannon was recalled from his loan spell in the January transfer window.
His energy and driving runs from midfield create space and options for wingers Million Manhoef and Bae Junho, whilst his support of the striker enables Stoke to play from the front. He also works hard defensively, meaning that midfielders Ben Pearson and Wouter Burger are not exposed.
Baker is out of contract at the end of the season, so he may be set to leave Staffordshire in the summer. However, he will be influential in this game and Stoke’s general hopes of survival.
Luton Town: Carlton Morris
With Adebayo, and Brown absent, Carlton Morris will be tasked with providing Luton Town’s main goal threat.
The Luton captain as also their top goal scorer with 7 league goals this season, but he hasn’t scored since a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday back in February. For a player who scored 11 Premier League goals last season, that is a poor return, and Morris will need to improve if Luton are to earn all 3 points.
Morris will also take on a leadership role in the team, as he will either be the only striker in the lineup if Chong starts with him, or if he’s partnered by January signings Millenic Alli or Lasse Nordas he’ll be the only forward with Championship experience. His role in assisting the team going forward will be crucial to Luton’s chances of victory.
Match Details
Where is the game being played? Bet365 Stadium
What time is kick off? 19:45 BST on Tuesday 8th April 2025
How can I watch? The action will be on Sky Sports +
