Preview: Peterborough United vs. Luton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Luton Town will be looking to strengthen their grip on a playoff spot in the Championship when they head to basement side Peterborough United on Tuesday night.

The visitors are currently fourth in the table, three points ahead of seventh-placed Nottingham Forest, while Peterborough sit bottom, eight points behind 21st-placed Reading on the same number of games (39).

Match preview

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There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a difficult season for Peterborough, who have picked up just 26 points from their 39 Championship matches this season to sit bottom of the table, eight points from the safety of 21st position, and the games are starting to run out.

The Posh, who were promoted from League One last season, will enter Tuesday's clash with Luton off the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

Grant McCann's side did record a 3-1 win over Queens Park Rangers before the international break, but that proved to be their first victory in the second tier since the middle of December, which is an indication of their troubles.

Peterborough have simply not won enough matches this term, only triumphing on six occasions in the second tier, while their defensive record is also troubling, shipping 80 goals in the Championship, which is six more than any other side.

The Posh have lost their last two league matches against Luton, conceding seven times and scoring zero, including a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

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Luton, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Millwall on Saturday afternoon, with a late own goal from James Cooper securing a share of the spoils for the home side at Kenilworth Road.

Nathan Jones's side have won six of their last nine Championship matches, including two of their last three against Preston North End and Hull City, which has moved them into fourth spot in the table.

Luton are currently three points ahead of seventh-placed Nottingham Forest and eight behind second-placed Bournemouth, with a number of teams currently battling to finish in the playoff spots.

The Hatters have never played in the Premier League, so it would be some story if they were promoted to the top flight, especially considering their rise through the years over the last 10 years.

Luton have been impressive on their travels in the Championship this season, picking up 28 points from 19 matches, and they will be taking on a Peterborough side with the worst home record in the second tier, having collected just 18 points from their 19 matches in front of their own supporters.

Team News

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Peterborough will be without the services of Dan Butler, Oliver Norburn, Joel Randall and Steven Benda on Tuesday evening through injury.

Ronnie Edwards and Jorge Grant are in line for recalls following Saturday's loss to Middlesbrough, with head coach McCann expected to shuffle his pack for this match.

Jonson Clarke-Harris and Jack Marriott should continue as the front two, though, with Grant potentially taking the place of Sammie Szmodics in the number 10 position.

As for Luton, Jed Steer, Gabriel Osho, Alex Palmer and Reece Burke are all confirmed absentees for the away side on Tuesday evening.

Head coach Jones is expected to keep faith with the majority of the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Millwall at the weekend despite a below-par performance.

However, there could be a recall in the final third of the field for Cameron Jerome, with the experienced striker potentially featuring alongside Elijah Adebayo in a front two.

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:

Cornell; Edwards, Kent, Knight; Ward, Fuchs, Taylor, Burrows; Grant; Clarke-Harris, Marriott

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Shea; Lockyer, Naismith, Potts; Bree, Lansbury, Campbell, Bell; Mpanzu; Jerome, Adebayo

We say: Peterborough United 0-2 Luton Town

Luton are in desperate need of the points, as they bid to remain in the top six; Peterborough require the victory for a very different reason, but we are struggling to back the home side here and are tipping Luton to secure a vital three points courtesy of a two-goal success.