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Preston North End logo
Championship | Gameweek 3
Aug 24, 2024 at 3pm UK
Deepdale
Luton Town

Preston
1 - 0
Luton

Keane (39')
Whiteman (41'), Potts (43'), Frokjaer-Jensen (58'), Kesler (72'), Greenwood (76'), Holmes (81')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Baptiste (54')

Preview: Preston North End vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Preston North End and Luton Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Preston North End begin life under Paul Heckingbottom looking to earn their first points of the new Championship campaign against Luton Town.

Meanwhile, the Hatters make the trip to Deepdale bidding to improve on their winless start, currently sitting in 20th place in the standings.


Match preview

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom looks on on July 29, 2023© Reuters

Preston would have preferred to be at this stage of the season with continuity, yet the departure of Ryan Lowe has led to a manager with a proven track record in Heckingbottom being appointed as his replacement.

With EFL promotions having been earned at Barnsley and Sheffield United, Heckingbottom has the credentials to make a difference at Deepdale, but he will equally be aware of the task in hand.

An opening-weekend 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United was followed by a one-sided 3-0 reverse at Swansea City in their second league game.

The only positive that Heckingbottom can take is from Preston beating an impressive Sunderland outfit in the EFL Cup first round, albeit with changes made to both sides.

On paper, this is a far from ideal start to Heckingbottom's reign, yet Luton are yet to show anything that they can mount another promotion charge.

Losing 4-1 at home to fellow relegated side Burnley should perhaps be put into context when the Clarets then went on to put five goals past Cardiff City.

Nevertheless, Rob Edwards's side drew a blank at Fratton Park in their following fixture, earning a goalless draw for their first point.

Defender Mark McGuinness and midfielder Liam Walsh have arrived this week to bolster the squad, but it is the attack that seemingly requires the most work at this stage of the season.

Luton also do not have a competitive away win on their record since back in January when they recorded a 2-1 triumph over Everton in the FA Cup fourth round.

Preston North End Championship form:
  • L
  • L


Preston North End form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • L


Luton Town Championship form:



Team News

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards celebrates after the match on November 25, 2023© Reuters

The makeup of Heckingbottom's first Preston XI is a complete unknown, the possibility being there that he could switch to a back three.

Based on the last performance, changes will be made regardless with Sam Greenwood, Duane Holmes and Milutin Osmajic all options in midfield and attack.

Goalkeeper James Shea will start between the sticks for Luton courtesy of Thomas Kaminski's sending off against Portsmouth.

Despite the arrivals of McGuinness and Walsh, that could prove to be the only alteration to a team that held out for a goalless draw.


Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Potts, Storey, Lindsay, Hughes; Thordarson, Whiteman, Ledson; Holmes, Osmajic, Brady

Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Shea; Walters, Mengi, Bell; Ogbene, Clark, Baptiste, Doughty; Morris, Chong; Adebayo


SM words green background

We say: Preston North End 1-2 Luton Town

With neither club in form, this is a difficult match to predict. However, despite the boost of a new manager, we are going to back the greater stability at the visitors, who could nick this game during the latter stages.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Preston vs Luton

Preston North End
30.2%
Draw
20.8%
Luton Town
49.1%
53
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