Preview: Coventry City vs Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Coventry City host Luton Town in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

The Hatters were relegated from the Championship on the final day of last season, while the Sky Blues secured a fifth-place finish and a spot in the playoffs.

Match preview

Frank Lampard’s first EFL Cup campaign as Coventry boss ended in the third round last season, when his side let a one-goal lead slip and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with the winner coming in the 92nd minute.

The Sky Blues’ best run in the competition remains a semi-final appearance back in 1989-90, while they last reached the round of 16 in 2007-08.

Coventry impressed in the 2024-25 Championship, picking up 69 points from 46 matches - winning 20, drawing nine, and losing 17.

Lampard transformed their fortunes after taking over the club in 16th, guiding them to the playoffs, where they fell to Sunderland in the semi-finals.

The new season began with a goalless draw against Hull City, where Coventry had 58% possession and looked the more threatening but could not break the deadlock.

Recent meetings between these sides have been evenly matched, with one win apiece and two draws in the last five encounters.

Luton, now in League One after suffering back-to-back relegations, began their campaign with a 1-0 home win over AFC Wimbledon thanks to Ryan Johnson’s late own goal.

They followed that up with a 2-0 victory away to Peterborough, courtesy of goals from Mads Juel Andersen and Jordan Clark, to sit second in the table after two games.

After their historic promotion to the Premier League in 2023, the Hatters suffered consecutive relegations and parted ways with Rob Edwards midway through last season.

Matt Bloomfield’s men were knocked out in the second round of last year’s EFL Cup, losing 5-2 on penalties to Queens Park Rangers.

Luton famously won this competition in 1987-88, beating Arsenal in the final, but they lost to Nottingham Forest in the following year’s showpiece.

Coventry City form (all competitions):

Luton Town form (all competitions):

Team News

Coventry City will be without goalkeeper Oliver Dovin, who remains sidelined with the ACL injury he suffered late last season, and Josh Eccles is also still unavailable.

Carl Rushworth, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, started against Hull and is likely to retain his place in goal.

New defender Miguel Angel Brau made his debut in that game and could keep his spot, while fellow summer signing Kaine Kesler-Hayden is pushing for a first appearance.

Ephron Mason-Clark may make way for Haji Wright in attack, while Ben Sheaf is a major doubt after being forced off just seven minutes after coming on against Hull.

Luton Town have made 10 summer signings, with six already featuring in their opening two games.

Reuell Walters played only 45 minutes against Peterborough and could be replaced by Nigel Lonwijk in the starting 11.

Marvelous Nakamba is out with a calf injury, with Teden Mengi sidelined by a knee problem and Tom Holmes dealing with a minor knock.

New goalkeeper Josh Keeley has kept two successive clean sheets and should continue between the sticks.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Dasilva; Torp, Grimes; Sakamoto, Rudoni, Wright; Thomas-Asante

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Keeley; Naismith, Andersen, Makosso; Alli, Saville, Baptiste, Lonwijk; Wells, Clark, Yates

We say: Coventry City 2-0 Luton Town

Coventry’s home advantage and superior attacking options could prove decisive against a Luton side still adjusting to life in League One.

Lampard’s men have the quality to create and convert chances, particularly against a defence that may not yet be fully settled.

While Bloomfield's team have enjoyed a perfect start in the league, stepping up against Championship opposition away from home represents a much tougher challenge - the Sky Blues should have enough to advance comfortably to the second round.

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