Northampton Town and Luton Town will continue their preparations for the 2022-23 campaign when they face off at Sixfields Stadium on Saturday.
The last time that these two sides met was for a warm-up fixture in August 2020, which saw the Hatters claim a 3-0 away victory.
Match preview
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Northampton narrowly missed out on an immediate return to League One last season, after they were beaten by Mansfield Town in the playoff semi-finals.
The Cobblers were on course to finish in the automatic promotion places, but a dramatic 7-0 final-day victory for Bristol Rovers saw them leapfrog Jon Brady's side into third place on goals scored.
Northampton will be looking to challenge for a top-three spot once again this term, and they have already bolstered their squad with eight new signings including experienced striker Danny Hylton from Saturday's opponents Luton. However, the likes of goalkeeper Liam Roberts and centre-back Fraser Horsfall have left the club.
After beginning their pre-season with a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest Under-23s, the Cobblers have since recorded a 3-1 victory away at St Mirren and have played out a 1-1 draw with Dundee United. Their most recent fixture, however, ended in defeat as they were beaten 3-0 by West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.
Northampton now have three more fixtures against Luton, Rushden & Diamonds and Cheltenham Town, in which they will attempt to build positive momentum before facing Colchester United in their opening League Two game on July 30.
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Luton will be hoping to build on an impressive 2021-22 campaign in the Championship, which almost ended with promotion to the Premier League.
The Hatters finished sixth and made the playoffs last season, their highest league finish since their relegation from the top flight back in 1992, but they eventually lost over two legs to Huddersfield Town.
Nathan Jones – who was named Championship Manager of the Season – has since been busy in the transfer market and has strengthened his squad by bringing in seven fresh faces to Kenilworth Road, including forwards Carlton Morris and Cauley Woodrow from Barnsley.
Luton began their pre-season with a 3-0 win over non-league side Hitchin Town before spending a week training in Slovenia, which included a 2-1 win over NK Bravo. On Wednesday, the Hatters won by the same scoreline against Gillingham in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
After their encounter with Northampton, Luton are scheduled to face Huddersfield Town, Peterborough United and West Ham United before their Championship opener at home against Birmingham City on July 30.
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Team News
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Northampton left-back Ali Koiki was forced off with a knock against West Brom and it remains to be seen whether he will feature on Saturday.
Summer signing Lee Burge, who has joined from Sunderland, was the only unused substitute against the Baggies but he could be given some minutes between the sticks this weekend at the expense of Jonathan Maxted.
Centre-back quintet Jon Guthrie, Akin Odimayo, Sam Sherring, Ryan Nolan and Max Dyche – the son of former Burnley boss Sean Dyche – will all be battling for a starting place in defence.
As for Luton, Jones used 22 players in their most recent warm-up match and he is expected to make several changes again throughout Saturday's fixture.
Cameron Jerome, who scored a brace in the win over Gillingham, is set to feature again, while the likes of Woodrow, Luke Freeman and Jordan Clark, who all began on the substitutes' bench last time out, will be hoping to force their way into the first XI.
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; McGowan, Guthrie, Sherring, Hayes; Sowerby, Fox, McWilliams; Hoskins, Hylton, Pinnock
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Macey; Lockyer, Bradley, Burke; Bree, Lansbury, Freeman, Doughty, Bell; Jerome, Woodrow
We say: Northampton Town 1-3 Luton Town
Several first-team players from both sides are set to be given a runout this weekend, but Luton will be regarded as the favourites considering that they are two divisions higher than their opponents.
The Hatters have won all three of their friendlies so far and we expect them to continue their winning streak against the Cobblers.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
