Match Previews

MATCH PREVIEW | LUTON TOWN V OXFORD UNITED

The Hatters will look to seal the League One title tomorrow knowing a victory over Oxford United at Kenilworth Road would see them finish top of the division.

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With a carnival atmosphere anticipated for the game, please have a read of the post-match presentation and arrangements news story if you've got a ticket for the game by clicking here. Make sure you're in your seat well before kick-off to make the most of the festivities.

With Portsmouth and Sunderland losing on Tuesday night, promotion to the Sky Bet Championship was confirmed, as the Hatters have a four-point cushion heading into the final day.

Town have had a truly wonderful campaign as they broke a number of league and club records, achieving back-to-back promotions having just come up from League Two.

Personal awards are also up for grabs, with James Collins set to scoop the League One Golden Boot, sitting five goals clear of second place, whilst James Shea could win the Golden Glove, having kept 19 clean sheets this season.

However, Barnsley goalie Adam Davies has also kept the same amount of clean sheets heading into the final day, so could potentially share or beat Shea to the award.

Tomorrow's visitors will look to end their campaign by continuing the good form they have been in recently, suffering just three defeats in their last 19 games, and none in their last nine.

MICK HARFORD SAYS:

On the final day celebrations: “The coaching staff have been taking the mickey out me, saying we’re fed up of hearing ‘there’s only one Mickey Harford’ and all that, the songs and the chants. But even thinking about it now sends a shiver down my spine, and I have a real good affinity with the football fans at Luton Town Football Club. I know they’ll get behind me, they’ll get behind the team on Saturday, and also when the incoming manager comes in, they’ll give him massive support and that’s good to know for everyone at the football club.

On leaving his role as manager: "The biggest part I miss will be match days. I love match days, I love being around the players, being in and around the buzz, the atmosphere, especially at Kenilworth Road on those Tuesday nights, I’ll miss those. That Pompey game was something special, so there will be a little tinge of sadness there that I won’t be involved, but I’ll go back to my role and hopefully play an important part in improving the squad and the team. I really, really understand now why managers get paid the most money, in terms of what they have to go through on a daily basis. Things get thrown at you from all kinds of angles, problems, sometimes nice problems, but it’s a real tough job and I know how hard it is to be manager again now.”

On wanting to win the league: "Of course we want to be champions, of course we want to be winners and that's why we get involved in this game, to be winners, to be successful, the players are up for it, they'll be prepared for it, we are promoted as are Barnsley. So hopefully we can go out there and be relaxed, we know it will be a tough test as Oxford are in good form, they're a good team, they play football, they're a very good counter attacking team. So again, we'll be fully prepared and ready to go and there's a will and desire amongst thesquad to finish as champions. The atmosphere will be electric, it's Kenilworth Road and the fans are very knowledgeable, very vocal and they understand what's at stake and 100 per cent they'll be behind the lads, I'm absolutely certain of that and hopefully we'll get the right result and we'll carry on those celebrations."

WHO?

After our last meeting back in October – when the Hatters defeated Karl Robinson's side 2-1 at Grenoble Road – Oxford found themselves in 23rd spot with five points from 11 games.

Their form picked up dramatically after that and apart from a blip over Christmas and New Year, the U's have been in at least play-off challenging form.

Whilst their season is all but over – unable to finish in the play-offs and safe from relegation – Robinson's team have found another gear and head into the match having won eight out of their last 12. They have beaten Portsmouth and Charlton this season, but haven't manage to take three points away at a team in the top seven.

WHEN AND WHERE?

Kick-off is at 5.30pm at Kenilworth Road on Saturday 4th May.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE?

Tomorrow's game will be overseen by Michael Salisbury, who has taken charge of 40 games this campaign, dishing out 118 yellow cards and four reds.

TICKET INFORMATION

This game has completely sold-out in both home and away sections.

POWER COURT CAR PARKING

Parking at Power Court tomorrow will be available with a permit, which you can download by clicking this link!

AWAY SUPPORTERS

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

PLAYED BEFORE?

The Hatters last played Oxford back in October, when Dan Potts nodded in a last-minute winner in a 2-1 win. In total we have defeated them 18 times, drawn on nine occasions and lost 13.

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 – @LutonTown

Facebook – 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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