PREVIEW: Luton Town v Preston North End

Preston's all or nothing type of season carried on in midweek, as they comfortably defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 at Deepdale on Wednesday evening.

The win was something of surprise given the Lilywhites' disappointing form at their own stadium ahead of the contest, with six of their eight losses so far this term coming on home soil.

In fact that was just victory number two, and although a second in four matches, it remains on the road when Alex Neil's side have really impressed so far, with five wins and a draw from eight games, claiming 16 points from 24, the joint best record in the division with Norwich City and Bristol City.

On the road, Preston started off excellently, beating Derby County in the EFL Cup, then drawing at Norwich before winning all four of their next matches, 4-2 at Brentford, with further triumphs at QPR, Huddersfield and Reading as well.

They did finally see that sequence ended, losing at both Rotherham (2-1) and Watford (4-1) in November, but hit back with an excellent 3-2 success at Bournemouth at the start of this month.

Beginning to put results on the board at home has seen Preston take seven points from nine going into this weekend's fixture, as they have also climbed above Luton on goal difference to sit 13th in the table.

North End didn't make a whole host of signings over the summer to try and improve on their ninth place finish last season, only really bringing in Danish striker Emil Ris Jakobsen from Randers Freja for an undisclosed fee, described as 'significant.'

They did see Jack Armer and Connor Simpson move on, loaning out a quartet of players too, including Josh Ginnelly to Hearts.

Neil has had to deal with renewed speculation this week that defender Ben Davies is being linked with a move to Premier League Sheffield United as the January transfer window gets nearer, although it appears a permanent move is unlikely.

The Preston boss is more interested in adding to his squad, particularly in the defensive department, telling Lancashire Live: “Each and every one of our centre-backs have played a significant part already this season.

"With the games we've currently got, (three) is not enough and we've gone in to games without any fit full-backs or any fit back-up full-backs.

“We will be working hard in the background to try and get targets lined-up.

"But then affordability is the difficult you've got - who we can recruit, where we get them from and whether they're of the relevant quality."

Team news: Luton will have defender Matty Pearson back from suspension, while James Bree is expected to be available as well.

Striker Danny Hylton remains a doubt, as does goalkeeper Simon Sluga, the pair struggling with calf and shoulder issues.

Rhys Norrington-Davies is also a concern, but Martin Cranie not expected to feature.

Preston have Daniel Johnson available after suspension, while Paul Gallagher could come back from a hamstring injury.

Defender Patrick Bauer is out for the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles tendon, while midfielder Ben Pearson will be missing, suffering ankle ligament damage recently.

Top scorers: Hatters: James Collins (6). Lilywhites: Scott Sinclair (7).

Milestones: Nathan Jones will be in charge of his 200th game in all competitions for the Hatters on Saturday.

The Welsham, now in his second spell at the club, will also record a century of wins if Luton can claim all three points, with 99 victories so far, 55 draws and 45 defeats.

Man in the middle: Jeremy Simpson – has taken nine games so far this season, showing 28 yellow cards and three reds.

Officiated one Luton match, the 2-0 home defeat to Stoke City, while also refereed the Hatters' 3-2 defeat at QPR last term.

The encounter at Rangers was his first Town game since the 3-2 League Two victory at home over Cambridge United in January 2015.

Also took Town twice in the Blue Square Premier 2011-12 season, a 0-0 draw at Gateshead and then 2-1 defeat to York City in the play-off final, allowing Matty Blair's clearly offside goal to stand.

Lee Venamore and Richard Wild are the assistant referees, with Sunny Gill the fourth official.

In charge: Alex Neil - 39-year-old who began his playing career with Airdrie, before moving to Barnsley and having a spell with Mansfield, heading back up north to join Hamilton Academical in August 2005.

Made over 200 appearances and became Hamilton's player-manager in 2013, leading them to promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2014, returning to England in January 2015, appointed boss of Norwich City.

Guided the Canaries to the Premier League, but was sacked in March 2017, although swiftly back in work, named Preston boss four months later.

He took the Lilywhites to seventh during his first season, as they ended up ninth last term.

View from the opposition: Alex Neil talking to Lancashire Live: “I've watched their games and there hasn't been much in them - they've won one in five (at Kenilworth Road) but it came against Norwich so they're capable.

“I think they're stronger at home. They're a bit of a mix of everything.

“Their recruitment has been good this summer, they've signed some good players.

“They have done well in that regard and are trying to evolve their style."

One to watch: Scott Sinclair 31-year-old attacker who started out with Chelsea, but only played 14 times at Stamford Bridge, scoring once in three years.

Went on loan to Plymouth, QPR, Charlton, Crystal Palace, Birmingham and Wigan, before a £500,000 move to Swansea in August 2010.

Netted 36 times in 91 games for the Swans to earn a £6.2m move to Man City in August 2012.

Restricted to 19 games for at the Etihad, as he had loan stints with West Brom and Aston Villa, moving to Villa permanently for £2.5m in June 2015.

Spent just one year at Villa Park, joining Celtic for £3.5m as his career reignited once more, with over 50 goals during his four seasons.

Sealed an undisclosed move to Preston in January 2020 and scored three times last term.

Started this season in real form though, with seven goals in 19 matches, including one in the win over Middlesbrough on Wednesday.

Friendly faces: Preston attacker Jayden Stockley moved to Luton on loan from Bournemouth in January 2015, scoring three times in 13 games.

Had further loan spells away from the Cherries before going to Exeter in August 2017 where caught the eye with 41 goals in 76 games.

That earned a £750,000 move to Preston in January 2019, but has struggled for goals on a consistent basis.

Bagged the winner against Luton at Deepdale last season, and has played 13 times this term, scoring just once, making it nine goals in 65 matches for the club so far.

Played for both: Alan McCormack - midfielder began his career at Preston North End, making 12 appearances, with loan moves to Leyton Orient, Southend and Motherwell.

Joined Southend on a permanent deal in 2007 and went on to have spells with Charlton, Swindon and Brentford, moving to Luton in the summer of 2017

Although he only played 39 times for the Hatters, scoring once, he was instrumental in the club winning back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship, as he left to join Northampton in the summer of 2019 when his contract wasn't renewed.

Helped the Cobblers reach League One via the play-offs and then signed for Southend this summer, playing four times so far this season.

We've got form: Luton haven't had it easy when facing Preston at Kenilworth Road in their history.

Town started with a 2-0 loss in the FA Cup first round back in February 1895, with another defeat in the same competition following in 1921.

The opening league game was a 1-1 draw in 1949, as Luton lost 2-1 in 1950, finally ending their 60-year wait for a first win, enjoying a 2-1 Division One success in August 1955.

Since then results have been mixed, with easily the best for the Hatters, a 5-1 Division Two thumping in February 1997, David Oldfield bagging a hat-trick.

Town have had the better of the last three encounters, with two wins a draw, the Lilywhites now without a win in Bedfordshire since November 1999.

In total, Luton have won nine, drawn six and lost nine of their 24 clashes, scoring 42 and conceding 36.

Last time out: Luton took on Preston in the first game after lockdown last season, falling behind when Scott Sinclair netted early in the second half.

However, Town hit back to grab what turned out to be a crucial point as Callum McManaman fired home with three minutes to go.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Martin Cranie (James Bree 75), Dan Potts, Matty Pearson (Sonny Bradley 84), Glen Rea (George Moncur 75), Cameron Carter-Vickers, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Pelly-Ruddock Ruddock, Izzy Brown (Callum McManaman 75), Harry Cornick, James Collins (Danny Hylton 84).

Subs not used: James Shea, Andrew Shinnie, Jacob Butterfield, Elliot Lee.

Referee: John Brooks.