Manchester City host Luton Town in what is a huge clash which will have important implications at both ends of the Premier League table.
Date: 13/04/24
Kick-off time: 15:00
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Last year’s champions are looking to retain their crown for a fourth straight season, but are currently not in control of their destiny. City are third thanks to a 0-0 draw with Arsenal, but are just one point behind the Gunners at the top and Liverpool in second. Mikel Arteta’s side lead the way with 71 points, top on goal difference following Liverpool’s draw to Man United at the weekend. With the quality each team is producing in this title race, every game feels like a must win. Any dropped points could severely weaken their chances.
Luton, in contrast, are fighting to extend their one-year stay in the Premier League, and last week’s victory at the death against Bournemouth has kept their hopes well alive. They are still in the relegation zone, but only remain in there because of their inferior goal difference to Nottingham Forest. With six games remaining, they will still have to pick up some big points, but teams above them are certainly nervously looking over their shoulders.
However, any points away at Man City seems an unrealistic possibility. The hosts have yet to lose at home in the league, and have scored 38 goals. The Hatters’ have picked up only 10 points on the road, with just two wins. In their last two games, City have scored four in each and will be confident in putting a few past Thomas Kaminski in the visiting net. Erling Haaland recently scored his 19th goal of the campaign and will come up against a defence who has not kept a clean sheet in 12.
The two sides have met just twice this century, both coming this season in the Premier League and FA Cup. Before this, they had not taken each other on since 1999, when City were in the second division. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a narrow 2-1 victory for the visitors at Kenilworth Road, as second half goals from Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish cancelled out Elijah Adebayo’s first half opener. The cup game in February was much more comfortable for Pep Guardiola’s side, with them winning 6-2 away. They were helped by an incredible five goals from Erling Haaland, before Mateo Kovacic added a sixth.