Everton and Sean Dyche have been forced to put in the hard yards to ensure Premier League survival, and as they say, they’re in a fight to the finish line. After having their points deducted for breaching the league’s profitability and sustainability rules, Sean Dyche’s side was in danger of dropping to the second tier for the first time in their history. However, diamonds are made under intense pressure, and that is what the Merseyside-based club has done after beating Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, and Brentford in the space of six days in April to ensure their place in the top flight for another season.
Following their 1-0 win against Brentford, Everton have moved 11 points adrift of 18th-placed Luton Town, which translates to ensuring that today’s game against the Hatters is no longer a do-or-die for the Toffees.
Luton Town, meanwhile, are running the risk of finding Kenilworth Road hosting Championship games once again next season after accumulating only twenty-five points with three games to go. Rob Edwards has done a massive job at the Bedfordshire-based club to ensure they go down fighting, although the Hatters have seen a drop in form off-late, with three successive defeats and two of those ending in a 5-1 thumping.
Luton Town vs Everton: Match Preview
Tale of Two Teams – Everton’s fight cementing their PL status and Luton Town’s quest to stay up
A tie that was looked upon as a relegation scrap battle is no longer one as Luton Town plays host to Everton at Kenilworth Road under the lights on a Friday night as the pair kicks off Matchday 36 of the 2023–24 Premier League season. While one team looks to ensure they keep their Premier League status, the other is looking to prove they belong beyond just a filler in the league.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: 3rd May, 2024.
Time: 20:00 HRS BST.
Venue: Kenilworth Road.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tim Robinson.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.
VAR: David Coote.
Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.
TEAM NEWS
Luton have had their injury problems going into the business end of the season, and the hosts are about to kickoff another game with injury count aplenty. Rob Edwards is set to be without as many as seven players at his disposal including their captain Tom Lockyer, who has announced his retirement from the game following his cardiac arrest.
Issa Kabore is geared up to serve the sidelines with an ankle injury, while the duo of Marvelous Nakamba and Jacob Brown joins Issa in the treatment room with knee problems. Amari’i Bell has done his hamstring as Dan Potts and Chiedozie Ogbene are out of contention owing to thigh problems. Mads Andersen is facing a race against time and a late call is expected to be taken on his involvement following a calf knock.
On the positives, the Hatters did welcome Elijah Adebayo against Wolves. He has been pivotal for Luton Town this season and his services were duly missed in the two-and-a-half-month he served on the sidelines with an hamstring injury. He should be in contention for a start tonight.
While Luton Town have had injury aiding their cause, the Everton doctors also have a few bits to deal with. Vitaliy Mykolenko has been a casualty of the Merseyside Derby aftermath as he is set to be out for the remainder of the season after picking up an ankle injury against Liverpool. He joins Nathan Patterson and Dele Alli in the list of Everton players ruled out of the season.
Beto is yet to be his hundred percent following the head injury he picked up against Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are set to face a late fitness test.
PRE-GAME ANALYSIS
Luton Town are a tricky side to face at home. They like to make it physical and involve the crowd to push their opponents back while they play a blend of positional build-up football and using their forward line’s aerial ability every now and then. The likes of Ross Barkley love to operate in pockets and having a road-runner in Doughty makes it tricky to contain them. Luton will try to involved the Everton defensive line in a physical battle, however, the real difference should be how they make their half-spaces tick and the use of their wingers.
KEY PLAYERS
Idrissa Gueye
Speaking about physical presence, Gueye has been pivotal for Sean Dyche this season. The former PSG man is an undisputable presence in midfield, and he has had a recent golden touch in front of the goal as he found the net against Forest and Brentford. However, for Gueye, it will be important to ensure that he doesn’t give room to operate in pockets while be quick to track down passes.
PROBABLE XI
Luton Town predicted XI vs Everton: Kaminski; Mengi, Burke, Osho; Hashioka, Lokonga, Barkley, Doughty; Chong; Morris, Adebayo.
Everton predicted XI vs Luton Town: Pickford; Godfrey, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Young; Harrison, Garner, Gueye, McNeil; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin.