As the Hatters prepare to face Bristol City in the Sky Bet Championship tomorrow afternoon, here’s all you need to know about our opponents.
The Robins currently occupy sixth position in the table and have just one loss to their name, a record only West Brom and Nottingham Forest also hold.
Prior to the two-week international break, Saturday’s visitors defeated Reading 1-0 after a run of three consecutive draws against Brentford, Preston and Swansea.
Having not lost since their 3-1 opening day defeat at home to Leeds United, Bristol City are ten games unbeaten in the league and have the chance to go top of the Championship with victory at Kenilworth Road.
The manager
Lee Johnson was appointed as Bristol City manager in February 2016, which makes him the longest serving manager in the Championship.
A club on the rise since he took the hot seat, Johnson has overseen a steady progression every season as the Robins have finished 18th, 11th and eighth in their last three campaigns.
The 38-year-old is currently the youngest manager in the Championship, having retired from professional football in 2013.
He had lengthy playing spells at both Yeovil Town and Bristol City before switching to management, taking charge of Oldham Athletic.
After Oldham, he spent a season with Barnsley and led them to the Football League Trophy Final, before moving to Bristol City in 2016 where he has remained ever since.
One to watch
A team full of young talent, flair and goals, Bristol City are used to taking part in exciting, end-to-end fixtures as they’ve failed to score in just one game this season.
Their top goalscorer last season - Famara Diedhiou - signed in June 2017 and was at the time, the clubs record signing.
In his two seasons with the Robins, Diedhiou has scored 12 goals and 13 goals in consecutive campaigns.
With three to this name thus far, the 26-year-old will hope his contribution can help the Robins strive towards promotion this season.
History
Founded 125 years ago in 1894, Bristol City have had their fair share of success over the years.
While they were FA Cup runners-up in 1909, the Robins have won the second tier title once and the third tier title four times.
They have also won the Football League Trophy a record three times.
The ground
Bristol City have played their home games at Ashton Gate since 1904. The ground’s record attendance dates right back to 1935, when 43,335 witnessed the game between Bristol City and Preston North End.
Redevelopment of Ashton Gate commenced in 2014 and finished before the start of the 2016/17 campaign. This increased the capacity to 27,000.
The stats
- Luton are unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Bristol City, a spell that stretches back to 2002.
- The Hatters claimed their biggest win against the Robins in 2005 as they won 5-0 in a League One match.
- Of the 18-man squad from both teams that played in the two sides most recent meeting in 2015, only Dan Potts and Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu remain Hatters, whilst Korey Smith is the only player still with Bristol City.
- Bristol City’s top goalscorer this season is Andreas Weimann with four goals, Luton’s James Collins has five.
- Across the top 4 tiers of English football, eight times remain unbeaten away in the league this season – of which Bristol City are one of them.