Match Previews

CHECKATRADE TROPHY MATCH PREVIEW: AFC WIMBLEDON V LUTON TOWN

The Hatters head to AFC Wimbledon tonight looking to secure their place in the knock-out stages of the Checkatrade Trophy.

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Nathan Jones' side need only pick up a point from their final group game and that would be sufficient for them to finish second, above Barnet and Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s who contest the other fixture in Southern Group F.

A second placed finish would mean Town play the next game of the competition away from Kenilworth Road, whereas should the win tonight, they would finish top of the group and therefore play at home.

A defeat on the other hand could spell the end of the Hatters' journey in this year's competition, should the Bees beat the Spurs by just a single goal or vice-versa.

THE GAFFER SAYS:

On team's playing open football in competition: "There's not as much emphasis on picking up three points because no manager loses their job over a Checkatrade Trophy loss or anything. That's not being disrespectful, we treat the competition - and Wimbledon have treated the competition – very, very well.

"They have scored four against Barnet who are a League Two club, so are we. Tottenham are an under-21s side and they've scored four, but League One is more competitive and that's probably why they've had that freedom. I don't think Wimbledon have taken the competition any lighter, or Barnet have taken it any lighter.

"There's goals in this competition because it's different to the league. We treat it well and we want to do well because we have got a number of players that are in good form and want to play. It's a good game for us."

WHO?

Tonight's hosts reached the knock-out stages of the competition last season as they topped Southern Group B, with a group that contained the likes of Plymouth Argyle and Newport County AFC. The Dons were knocked out though in the first knock-out stage by Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s. They head into tonight's game already with their foot in the next round of the competition having beaten Barnet and Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s – putting four past both sides.

WHEN AND WHERE?

Kick-off is at 7:45pm on Tuesday 31st October.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for tonight's game are only available on the night. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and Under-18s get in for free – with LTFC contributing £1 for every away fan in this bracket.

LAST TIME WE PLAYED?

The Dons have won four of the nine meetings between us, whilst the Hatters have won two and drawn the other three. The last time the two played was back in February 2016, when Jack Marriott scored the only goal for the Town in a 4-1 away defeat. The previous away trip saw Elliot Lee score his first goal for the Hatters with his first touch having joined from West Ham United back in 2015. Watch his goal below!

FOLLOW THE ACTION

You can follow the Hatters' Twitter feed on @LutonTown, or stay up to date on the LTFC website in the match centre. iFollow Hatters subscribers can tune in for Simon Pitts' match commentary, however a live stream of the game will not be available to international supporters.

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