Town will look to make it four wins from six Sky Bet Championship outings this evening as they welcome Millwall to Kenilworth Road.
Victories over Barnsley, Huddersfield and Blackburn with defeats against QPR and Hull City sandwiched in, sees the Hatters sit in 18th after nine games, with Millwall two spots behind, only separated on goal difference.
The Hatters have had mixed results at home so far this season, winning once, drawing once and losing twice – and whilst they have conceded the third most amount of goals in the division, they are the top scorers in the bottom half of the table, having found the back of the net on 14 occasions.
James Collins added to his tally when he opened the scoring against Rovers at the weekend, taking his haul to five for the campaign in the league.
Striker Matt Smith is tonight’s visitors’ top scorer, having found the back of the net on three occasions – he will be hoping to help fire the Lions to their first away league win of the season.
With two wins from their nine league games, Neil Harris’ outfit have drawn four games 1-1, with their three defeats coming against Fulham, Blackburn and QPR, all of whom you’d expect to be somewhere near the top of the table come May.
To celebrate International Coffee Day, supporters who purchase a collapsible mug from the club shop will receive two coffee sachets, which can be used inside the ground, with hot water provided for free from any food and drink kiosk.
GRAEME JONES SAID:
Please be aware – these quotes are taken from Graeme’s press conference on Monday
On Millwall boss Neil Harris: “Neil Harris is a very, very experienced man. They were down there all season [last season], he remained level-headed, remained focused and they remained competitive. I think they finished fourth from bottom, they have had a better start than last season, they’re in a better position than last season. They got a really creditable draw at Huddersfield. So Millwall are no mugs, it’ll be another big test for us.”
On having come up against Neil Harris: “Our paths crossed as players, obviously we played against each other in the league and there was the Auto Windscreen Shield final – he played for Millwall, I was on the bench for Wigan. And then in management we faced them at West Brom, so we have come against each other a few times. I have got total respect for what he has done at the club, because he has done a really, really good job.”
On their top scorer: “Matt Smith – he is a regular Championship player, West Brom played against him at QPR last season, so I know of him. He scored at the weekend, it was an error by the goalkeeper, but he was Johnny-on-the spot. I am fully aware of what Millwall’s threats are, it’s like any game, you have to try and stop the threats and try for you to be positive with your strengths, so we are still in that process.”
On being on Sky Sports this evening: “It seems like the blink of an eye since we were preparing for Middlesbrough, I think that was the 2nd August and this game is 2nd October, it’s flown by the time, that’s this league – keeping busy, responding and trying to enjoy it.”
WHO?
The Lions are in their third season back in the Championship, having spent two season in the third tier. Neil Harris took over as they were relegated in the 2014/15 campaign, and got them back up to the second tier at the second attempt – his side defeating Bradford City 1-0 at Wembley in 2017. The Den based outfit have had good strikers over the years, with Steve Morrison and Lee Gregory finding the back of the net regularly, but since the pair’s departures, Matt Smith was signed from QPR to fill the void.
WHEN AND WHERE?
Kick-off is 7.45pm at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday 2nd October.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Darren Bond has taken charge of seven games so far this campaign – five in the Championship and two in the EFL Cup – handing out 27 yellow cards.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets have now come off sale.
AWAY SUPPORTERS
If you’re a Millwall supporter making your way to Kenilworth Road tonight, make sure you have a read of our away supporters guide to get the most out of your trip to Luton, which you can access by clicking here.
PLAYED BEFORE?
The Hatters have faced Millwall on 122 occasions, the most recent of which came in November 2016, when we defeated them 3-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy. Of the meetings, Town have won 34, drawn 34 and lost 54.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The main blow-by-blow action account of the action from Kenilworth Road will be provided via the Match Centre on the club website, which you can access by clicking here.
The main moments from the game will appear on the Hatters’ social media feeds:
Twitter – @LutonTown
Facebook – www.facebook.com/LutonTown/
Instagram – www.instagram.com/ltfc_official/