Preview:Luton Town vs Wigan Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

As they push for an immediate return to the Championship, Luton Town are set to host Wigan Athletic at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday in League One.

The Hatters will be looking to bounce back from defeat last time out, while the Latics are aiming for a third consecutive win.

Match preview

Matt Bloomfield's Luton endured a turbulent 2024-25 campaign in the second tier, and despite parting ways with head coach Rob Edwards, they failed to avoid the drop.

The Hatters' clear goal is to earn promotion this term, but after they followed up their elimination from the EFL Cup at the hands of Coventry City by losing 2-1 to Bradford City on Saturday, it would be fair to say that they have been in mixed form so far in 2025-26.

That defeat left Bloomfield's side ninth in the table with six points, though considering that only three games have been played, the top six are still comfortably within reach.

Knowing that victory could push them into the playoff spots at the very least, the hosts will draw confidence from the fact that they have lost only once at Kenilworth Road across their last nine home matches, earning points in clashes against heavy-hitters such as eventual Championship champions Leeds United at the tail end of last season.

Additionally, Luton have kept three clean sheets on the bounce on their own turf, and such defensive solidity is sure to be an asset on Tuesday and beyond.

Meanwhile, Ryan Lowe's Wigan finished just 10 points above the relegation zone in League One last season, but with three wins from their first four games this term, they will have their sights set on the opposite end of the table.

On Saturday, the Latics made it back-to back victories when they beat Peterborough United 2-0 after knocking Notts County out of the League Cup four days prior.

Three points at the weekend has Lowe's men in eighth place, level with their opponents and one point shy of sixth-placed Bradford in the race for promotion.

The visitors closed out last season with a five-game unbeaten run on their travels in the third tier, but while they have lost just one of their 10 most recent away matches overall, they were defeated 2-0 by Leyton Orient in their only league game on the road in 2025-26.

If Wigan are able to prove that the loss against the O's was a one-off by seizing maximum points, then they could climb as high as top spot in a best-case scenario, though they would more likely find themselves in the playoff spots.

Luton Town League One form:

Luton Town form (all competitions):

Wigan Athletic League One form:

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

Team News

Luton Town have a lengthy absentee list to contend with on Tuesday, including the likes of Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown, while Tahith Chong, who has been dealing with a groin issue, is a doubt.

If Chong is available, then he is likely to start on the bench while Jordan Clark and Millenic Alli operate on the Hatters' right-hand side.

Likewise, there are question marks about the fitness of forward Isaiah Jones, though Clark and Lamine Fanne should be on-hand to start behind striker Jerry Yates once again.

Wigan are also missing a number of players, including right-back Isaac Mabaya, who should be replaced in the XI by Fraser Murray at wing-back.

Elsewhere, Matthew Smith suffered an injury setback in pre-season and is not ready to return to action, and defender James Carragher's participation is in doubt following his early injury and substitution against Leyton Orient.

If Carragher is not ready to play, then the Latics should start a back three of Will Aimson, Jason Kerr and Morgan Fox.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Keeley; McGuinness, Andersen, Naismith; Alli, Baptiste, Saville, Lonwijk; Clark, Dabo; Yates

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Fox; Francois; Murray, Trevitt, Wright, Hungbo; Haydee, Costelloe

We say: Luton Town 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Luton have proven their resilience against tougher opposition at Kenilworth Road, and they are unlikely to lose this week.

That being said, Wigan have also performed strongly on the road this year, and they will be out to earn their first away points of the campaign on Tuesday.

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