Luton Town play host to Bristol City on Wednesday evening looking to further strengthen their hold of a spot in the Championship playoffs.
The Hatters currently sit in fourth place in the table, five points clear of seventh, while the visitors are now in 13th position after an improved run since the turn of the year.
Match preview
© Reuters
Since the beginning of February, there have been times when Luton have looked like losing their way, not helped by an embarrassing FA Cup exit at Grimsby Town.
However, Rob Edwards's side have hit back with 10 points from a possible 12, keeping three clean sheets in the process, and they now have a healthy advantage in the race for the playoffs.
Although they sit just seven points adrift of second-placed Sheffield United, who they defeated at the weekend, the immediate focus remains on staying at least five points ahead of seventh place.
Despite posting three 1-0 wins of late, Edwards knows that improvements need to be made to remain in their current spot, although it should be noted that Luton have scored in each of Edwards's 15 league matches aside from a 1-0 defeat at home to leaders Burnley.
Luton welcome Bristol City to Kenilworth Road having lost just four of their 18 league games on familiar territory, although eight of those contests have ended in draws.
© Reuters
Since the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup last month, Bristol City have gone off the boil, but Nigel Pearson can have few complaints with the trajectory of his side since the turn of the year.
On the back of Saturday's 2-0 victory over Blackpool, the Robins have collected 20 points from 11 matches and suffered just one defeat.
With nine points separating Bristol City to the playoffs, their progression has probably come too late, but that will not stop Pearson from encouraging his team to keep heaping pressure on the teams above them.
A win on Wednesday would take Bristol City to within nine points of their fourth-placed opponents, and history tells you that momentum can be everything when attempting to earn promotion from the second tier.
Team News
© Reuters
Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu is expected to miss out for Luton, with Luke Berry in line to deputise after impressing as a substitute at the weekend.
Barring any other fitness issues, Edwards is likely to stick with the remainder of his Hatters XI unless Cauley Woodrow is introduced to add fresh legs to the attack.
Minimal changes are also expected with regards to Bristol City's team after they returned to winning ways on Saturday.
Sam Bell and Harry Cornick - against his former club - are both in contention for a recall in the final third if Pearson opts to rotate in that area of the pitch.
Matty James may feature in central midfield, depending on whether he is deemed to have shaken off an ankle injury.
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Osho, Lockyer, Bell; Drameh, Nakamba, Berry, Onyedinma; Campbell; Adebayo, Morris
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O'Leary; Tanner, Vyner, Pring, Dasilva; Scott, King; Sykes, Weimann, Mehmeti; Wells
We say: Luton Town 2-0 Bristol City
Expectation is building at Luton, something which could either boost or destabilise their promotion bid. On this occasion, we feel that it will be the former as we expect the Hatters to put on a professional display, motivated to improve in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
