Match Previews

MATCH PREVIEW | LUTON TOWN V DONCASTER ROVERS

The Hatters could make it a year since they got their unbeaten run underway at Kenilworth Road when they welcome Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

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A 2-0 win over Barnet on 23rd March 2018 was the first game in this run, so by avoiding defeat against Grant McCann's side on Saturday, Town would complete a full year unbeaten at Kenilworth Road.

The game against Donny will be Town's 24th game in that sequence, having won 18 and drawn five of the past 23.

Now over five months unbeaten in league football, the Hatters could make it 26 games undefeated, but face one of the standout teams in the division this campaign.

Whilst they are without a win in six, Donny have more than proven their ability against the highflying teams this campaign, losing only once in six outings against sides in the top four – including defeating the Hatters 2-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Striker John Marquis will be looking to make up ground on James Collins in the race for the League One golden boot – Collins leads the way with 20, with Marquis on 18, although he hasn't scored in over a month.

MICK HARFORD SAYS:

On his side's position in the league: "We're under no pressure at all, everyone needs to catch us. We've just got to keep performing to a level, we try and keep everything as comfortable as possible in terms of relaxing the players, telling them how we want to play and what we're asking from them.

"We don't put any extra pressure on them, they don't put any extra pressure on themselves. But it's getting to that end of the season – players do get a bit edgy and a bit nervy, but I think our players have got the temperament to deal with that."

On Alan Sheehan not being involved last weekend and the impact the captain has off the field: "Alan came in on the Saturday morning and looked a bit washed out. So we sent him home and he's rested up now.

"He didn't play in the development game on Tuesday, but he trained the last couple of days, so he is back in the fold. It's massive to have the likes of him, Alex Baptiste, Alan McCormack. Players who have been there, seen it and done it, people who have got other clubs over the line in terms of promotion, so those experienced players are vital for us to have around the place."

On John Marquis: "I know John personally, I know him from his Millwall days, he's having a good career and a really good spell at Doncaster. The way they play suits the way he wants to play, he's always playing on the shoulder, he's very dangerous in the penalty area, he's got good movement and his goal record is spot on in as good a team we have seen.

"I went up to watch them last week against Barnsley, and they played very well in the first half and basically could have been out of sight by half-time."

On every team having something to play for at this stage of the campaign: "If you look at the league table past halfway people are fighting relegation battles – there's hardly a points gap between teams around 14th and in the drop zone.

"Everyone more or less has got something to play for. Obviously Doncaster have a big fight on their hands to stay in the play-offs and they're a dangerous outfit and have got some good players. They're a good team."

WHO?

As it stands, five of the teams that Doncaster face between now and the end of the campaign are in the bottom half of the division, so with the relegation battle maybe threatening more teams than it has ever done at this stage of the campaign than before, Donny are in for a fight to maintain their place in the play-offs. So should they finish there, it will be more than deserved.

Doncaster have tended to do better at the Keepmoat Stadium than on the road, but have still got a decent return from their travels, picking up 23 points from 19 games. It's the amount of goals they get that have been getting them over the line – 61 goals in 37 games means they have the fifth best offensive record in the league.

WHEN AND WHERE?

Kick-off is at 3pm at Kenilworth Road on Saturday 23rd March.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE?

Tomorrow's game will be refereed by John Busby, who has overseen 36 games this season, dishing out 85 yellow cards and five red cards.

TICKET INFORMATION

The Hatters have received a section of tickets in the Oak Road Stand which supporters can purchase now from the Ticket Office.

POWER COURT CAR PARKINGParking at Power Court on Saturday will be available with a permit, which you can download by clicking this link!

AWAY SUPPORTERS

If you're a Doncaster Rovers supporter heading to Kenilworth Road for Saturday's game, click here to have a look at our away supporters' guide.

PLAYED BEFORE?

The Hatters have suffered four league defeats this season – one of those coming against Donny. The last meeting between the sides at Kenilworth Road ended in a 3-1 victory for the Town back in September 2016. Cameron McGeehan netted a brace, with Jack Marriot also getting on the scoresheet for the Town. In total, the Hatters have defeated Doncaster 11 times, drawn six, and lost eight.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

The main blow-by-blow account of the action from Kenilworth Road will be provided via the Match Centre on the club website, which you can access by clicking here. (*Please note that the club's Live Text will appear only by accessing through an internet browser, users of the Luton Town FC app will receive updates from Opta)

The main moments from the game will appear on the Hatters' social media feeds:

Twitter – @LutonTownFacebook – www.facebook.com/LutonTown/Instagram – www.instagram.com/ltfc_official/

And of course Simon Pitts will be on hand to provide commentary for iFollow Hatters which you can subscribe to by clicking here.

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