Preview: Luton Town vs. Coventry City: lineups, team news, and predictions
In the third round of the previous season, Coventry lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur, with the game-winning goal coming in the 92nd minute, and Frank Lampard’s first EFL Cup campaign as manager came to an end. The Sky Blues last made it to the round of 16 in 2007–08, and their greatest run in the competition is still their 1989–90 semi-final performance.
In the 2024–25 Championship, Coventry showed promise by winning 20 of their 46 games, drawing nine, and losing 17. After taking over the team in 16th place, Lampard turned their fortunes around and led them to the playoffs, where they lost to Sunderland in the semifinals. Coventry enjoyed 58% of the possession and appeared to be the more dangerous team, but they were unable to break the goalless stalemate against Hull City to start the new season. With one victory apiece and two draws in the last five games, these teams have played evenly in recent confrontations.
Ryan Johnson’s late own goal gave Luton, who are presently in League One following two consecutive relegations, a 1-0 home victory over AFC Wimbledon to start the season. They then defeated Peterborough 2-0 on the road, thanks to goals from Jordan Clark and Mads Juel Andersen, to move up to second place in the standings after two games. The Hatters experienced back-to-back relegations following their historic 2023 elevation to the Premier League, and Rob Edwards left the team halfway through the previous campaign.
Last year’s EFL Cup saw Matt Bloomfield’s team lose 5-2 on penalties to Queens Park Rangers, eliminating them in the second round. Although Luton defeated Arsenal in the final to win this competition in 1987–88, they were defeated by Nottingham Forest in the following year’s championship game. Oliver Dovin, the goalie for Coventry City, is still out due to an ACL injury he sustained late in the previous season, while Josh Eccles is also still out.
Carl Rushworth, who started against Hull while on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, is probably going to stay in goal. While Kaine Kesler-Hayden, another summer acquisition, is vying for a maiden appearance, new defender Miguel Angel Brau made his debut in that match and may retain his spot. Haji Wright may replace Ephron Mason-Clark in attack, and Ben Sheaf is a serious doubt after being substituted out against Hull just seven minutes after entering the game.
Six of Luton Town’s ten summer acquisitions have already appeared in their first two games. Nigel Lonwijk could start in place of Reuell Walters, who only played 45 minutes against Peterborough. Teden Mengi is out due to a knee ailment, Tom Holmes is dealing with a slight bump, and Marvellous Nakamba is out due to a calf injury. Josh Keeley, the new goalie, should stay in goal after keeping two consecutive clean sheets.
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