All the facts and Nathan's view ahead of seaside trip
The Hatters take on Blackpool at Bloomfield Road tomorrow as the sides fight it out to ensure they go into Christmas in the Sky Bet League Two play-off positions.
Relegated from League One last season, Blackpool are looking to go back up at the first attempt, as Gary Bowyer’s side have begun to push themselves up the table.
The Seasiders have only lost once in their last 11 matches, as Kyle Vassell has taken on a role similar to Danny Hylton for the Hatters, netting 11 goals in all competitions.
Vassell isn’t the only one hitting the back of the net for the Tangerines though, as Brad Potts has chipped in with eight goals from midfield while they also have Jamille Matt and ex-Hatter Mark Cullen (pictured below) in their ranks.
With 35 goals in the league, Blackpool are the division’s third top scorers and they are now on 30 points for the season, two shy of the fifth-placed Town, as Bowyer’s side kick-off in seventh.
Tomorrow’s hosts have matched Town’s exploits in the Checkatrade Trophy and in the FA Cup, as they have also made it to the last 16 of the former and through to the third round in the latter.
The Hatters have their own positives to lean back on though, having only suffered defeat twice on the road in the division this season – a record bettered only by Carlisle – and with only two defeats in the last 17 games in all competitions.
In addition to that, Town have the tightest defence in the league, being the only team not to have conceded 20 goals or more, while Hylton (pictured below celebrating his goal against Carlisle last week) has netted 14 times so far this term, with nine coming in his last 11 matches.
Jones is wary of the threat this weekend’s opposition possess though, especially with their potent frontline.
He said: “They are a good side, a very dangerous side. They have a dangerous front four who are very well drilled and organised. I know Gary Bowyer well from his time at Blackburn, when I was at Brighton.
“It’ll be a very, very difficult game and one that they will be in good spirits for, and we will just be our usual selves.
“We know all about their threat with Vassell and Jamille Matt. The boy Potts is playing well, so they are a good threat.
“They are one of the top scorers and we have the best defensive record, so something’s got to give.
“Cullen came off the bench at the weekend and did very well. Maybe he’ll start, maybe Matt will start. We can’t second guess what Blackpool are going to do.
“We’ll prepare a game plan for Luton Town and I’m sure Blackpool will do exactly the same, and we’ll go from there.
“We know that they are going to be an attacking threat, but we are a threat and that’s what we are more worried about.”
The sides have face each other 49 times, with the Hatters winning 21 of those encounters. Blackpool have won 16, with the sides contesting 12 draws.
This weekend’s match is to be refereed by Peter Bankes, who has handed out 76 yellow cards and 8 red cards in 18 matches this season.
There have been around 850 tickets sold to Hatters fans for tomorrow’s game, and those already purchased can be collected from Luton Town ticket office until 5pm today unless you have already arranged for them to be collected at Blackpool.
You can also purchase tickets on the day from the away booth, which will take cash only.
If you aren’t travelling to Lancashire tomorrow, make sure you follow the Town’s live updates wall on the club’s website here, or if you are a Hatters Player subscriber, tune in for Simon Pitts’ match commentary here.