The second clash of the Town’s looms as Huddersfield and Luton contest for play-off final spot

Huddersfield Town host Luton Town for the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Monday evening with the tie evenly poised after Friday evening’s 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.

Danel Sinani opened the scoring in Bedfordshire for the Terriers before Sonny Bradley equalised for the hosts before the interval.

However, neither side could find a crucial second and go into the second leg in West Yorkshire on level terms.

Although very few players from their Premier League squad are still at the John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield were in this position as recently as 2017 when David Wagner led Town to an unlikely promotion to the top flight via the play-offs.

As for Luton, being two victories away from the Premier League is unheard of.

Having been playing fifth tier football as recently as 2014, Nathan Jones’ side are in dreamland, a position similar to that of Huddersfield back in 2017.

The likes of Elijah Adebayo, Harry Cornick and Reece Burke (to name a few) have been instrumental in getting the Hatters into the top six this term, with Luton potentially set for a first campaign in the top flight in 30 years.

However, Jones and his players will have to mastermind victory against the Championship’s fourth-best home side with Huddersfield taking 45 points from their 23 home league games this term.

Having said that, Luton are excellent travellers with 32 points from 23 away games.

Team news

Having been withdrawn in the first half at Kenilworth Road, it looks as though Ollie Turton will miss out for Carlos Corberan’s side whilst Levi Colwill will be available for selection after missing the first leg through illness.

Moreover, Friday saw the surprise inclusion of Sorba Thomas after it appeared as though the winger would miss the play-offs through injury. Whether the Welshman is introduced from the start or from the bench is a decision the Spanish manager will have to make.

As for the visitors, the main injury concern is midfielder Henri Lansbury who had to be withdrawn on Friday.

On a positive note though, there is belief that top scorer Elijah Adebayo could be fit enough to make the bench.

It is set to be a mouth-watering spectacle in West Yorkshire on Monday night with just one space available for a place in the richest game in football.

 

[columns]

[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”609″ heading=”EFL” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]

[column size=”1/2″][blog type=”timeline” posts=”10″ cats=”1139″ heading=”Championship” heading_type=”timeline” /][/column]

[/columns]