Defending champions Manchester City will be keen to get back to winning ways against Luton Town on Sunday.
Defending champions Manchester City will be keen to get their faltering title defence back on track when they travel to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton Town on Sunday night.
Pep Guardiola’s side were stunned 1-0 at Villa Park earlier this week, seeing them drop to third spot and cede the advantage in the title race to Arsenal and Liverpool. Having picked up a mere three points from their last four league games, City will be keen to see regular service resume.
Luton are the rank underdogs in the fixture, but Kenilworth Road has proven to be a difficult place for opposition teams. Liverpool had to dig deep to secure a draw, while Manchester United and Arsenal came out on top by the skin of their teeth.
With Manchester City on the ropes, Rob Edwards could very well choose to have a go. Luton’s tails will be up after pushing Arsenal close earlier in the week, and they could smell blood with City struggling to showcase their usual aura of invincibility.
Either way, Guardiola’s men will be in for a tough night and have to be ready for a fight. The game is likely to be physical and hard fought. While the visitors have the edge in terms of technical ability, it could come down to who wants the result more and is willing to stick their leg out for it.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal kick off on Saturday, meaning Guardiola could very well find himself in a position where nothing less than a win will do at Kenilworth Road. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how these two sides will line up and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Luton Town
The minnows have struggled to put points on the board but remain adept at making life difficult for opposition teams at Kenilworth Road. Manchester United and Arsenal struggled to get a result, while Liverpool needed a stoppage-time goal to save their blushes.
Rob Edwards will, however, face a hurt beast in Manchester City as they will be hungering to get back to winning ways. Luton will be without the quartet of Cauley Woodrow, Reece Burke, Dan Potts and Mads Andersen, all of whom are unavailable for the game.
However, it is not all bad news as the home side will be keen to welcome back Tom Lockyer, Marvelous Nakamba and Albert Sambi Lokonga after spells out of the side. But Issa Kabore will also sit out, being unable to face his parent club while on loan.
Despite the risks associated with the formation, Luton are expected to line up in a 3-4-3 formation. Thomas Kaminski should start in goal behind the back three of Teden Mengi, Gabriel Osho and Amari’i Bell.
Chiedozie Ogbene and Alfie Doughty will act as the wide-men with the duo of Ross Barkley and Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu holding the fort in the middle of the park. Andros Townsend and Carlton Morris will aim to function as dual number tens with Elijah Adebayo leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Kaminski; Bell, Osho, Mengi; Ogbene, Barkley, Mpanzu, Doughty; Townsend, Adebayo, Morris
Manchester City
The champions are now on a run of four Premier League games without a win. They were thoroughly outplayed midweek against Aston Villa, and Luton Town can take heart from the performance. Rodri’s return from suspension does give the visitors an additional edge, handing Pep Guardiola a get out of jail card.
Star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is sidelined with a log term injury, while Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes are both doubtful. Guardiola is likely to rotate hi squad while incorporating a 3-2-4-1 system on the night.
Ederson should start in goal as usual behind the trio of Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake. The rearguard has been caught out often in recent times, and they will be wary of a charged up Kenilworth crowd that will strive to catch them off balance.
Rodri’s return should give Manchester City their edge back in the middle of the park. Alongside John Stones, the Spaniard should give the visitors the base they need to push forward.
Bernardo Silva and the returning Jack Grealish should start out wide, with Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez penetrating the Luton defence down the middle. Erling Haaland will reprise his role upfront and will be keen to get back to scoring ways after drawing a blank at Villa Park.
Probable Lineup (3-2-4-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake; Stones, Rodri; Silva, Alvarez, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
Key Stats
- The last meeting between Luton Town and Manchester City was in 1999 when both clubs were in the English third division.
- Both teams have faced off 49 times so far, with City winning 20 and Luton coming out on top 14 times. 15 games have ended in a stalemate.
- Manchester City are unbeaten against Luton for nine games now. The last time they experienced a defeat to the minnows was in 1986 at Kenilworth Road.
- Manchester City are unbeaten in their last 13 away games to promoted sides in the Premier League. Their most recent reversal came in 2019 when they lost 2-3 to Norwich City.
- Luton have won their last seven games against the reigning champions at home. This run is bettered only by Newcastle United’s streak of nine games from 1899 to 1910.
Player to Watch
Erling Haaland
Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland has scored nine goals in eight Premier League games against promoted sides since his arrival at the Etihad in 2022. However, the Norwegian has not scored in his last two Premier League games and will be itching to get back on the scoreboard.
With Kevin De Bruyne out, the onus is on Haaland to find the back of the net. The longer the Norwegian is kept quiet, the better Luton Town’s chances of springing a surprise.
Prediction
Luton Town 1-3 Manchester City
While Luton Town will be dogged competitors, the return of Rodri will give Manchester City increased impetus. It promises to be a hard fought battle but the visitors’ quality should see them get over the line on the night. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Pep Guardiola and his charges.