Luton Town welcome another Premier League giant to Kenilworth Road for the second time this week, with Pep Guardiola’s side making the trip down South. Last season's champions are the clear favourites to win the match, but they’ve shown that they can frustrate even the best of teams already this campaign.
Luton
Ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season, plenty of avid followers of the English top-flight would have predicted Luton to be one of the clubs whose future guaranteed relegation. All of the teams that were promoted from the Championship have struggled to adapt, and the Hatters are currently in 18th place, on just nine points from 15 games. That record is quite obviously poor, but they have been slightly unlucky in some matches, deserving more than they received.
Rob Edwards’ team have found it extremely difficult at both ends of the field this season, conceding two goals per game on average and only scoring 16 themselves. The former was on show versus Arsenal this week, but they put three past the current leaders. Luton were 2-1 down at half-time, but they had taken the lead by the hour mark. Kai Havertz responded quickly to equalised however, and Declan Rice stole it at the death.
Man City
Although he won’t show it, Pep Guardiola will be severely frustrated with the way his side has been slightly complacent this season. We are 15 games into the season and seeing the Citizens six points off the top in fourth place is a rather unusual sight. That said, they are still firing an almost all cylinders, scoring the most goals per game on average, 2.4, and conceding the joint third fewest per game, 1.13.
Even though they have faced the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea. City have shockingly not won any of their last four matches. The most recent of those was a 1-0 defeat on the road to Aston Villa. In truth, the hosts dominated the tie from the first whistle, playing with intensity and a point to prove. To briefly sum it up, City had two shots all game and essentially never showed up.
Verdict?
Kenilworth Road has been a difficult stadium to visit this season, with Liverpool and Arsenal both struggling. City have been poor for their standards whilst travelling, winning only four of their eight away matches.
The tie will see Luton sit in a rigid low block, with the view to hit City on the transition and build from there. Set pieces and direct football will be their priority. As for the Blues, they will enjoy plenty of the ball and as long as they stay switched on defensively, they will win this tie purely due to the sheer amount of quality.
The final prediction is Luton 0-3 Man City.
