Match Previews

MATCH PREVIEW | MIDDLESBROUGH V LUTON TOWN

The Hatters are back on the road when they face Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

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On the back of a strong 1-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday midweek, Town go into the game knowing a win could take them within four points of safety.

Middlesbrough meanwhile are without a win in their last six matches as they currently occupy 18th position, seven points clear of the drop zone.

International supporters will NOT be able to stream and follow the game live on iFollow Hatters, due to it being selected for international broadcast. Subscribers can tune into Simon Pitts’ full match commentary though.

For those who planned to go and watch the youth team face Leyton Orient tomorrow morning, please be aware that the game has now been called off.

Graeme Jones said:

(Please note that these quotes are taken from Graeme’s press conference on Wednesday night)

Can Wednesday's win spur the players on: “Tonight was a night that came down to the lads. Yes we have tactical information and Garry changed his shape and we helped the players but it had to come from within, it has to come from within.

“There’s a human element that they need to really make it happen, they need to make good decisions and they need to fight and they need to run. They have been doing that for weeks with no reward, that’s demoralising. Tonight we got a reward so let’s see where that takes us.”

The difference between playing Middlesbrough at the start of the season and now: “We are a long way away from Middlesbrough optimism on the opening day, there’s a reality now of this league and what it brings and they drew 2-2 last night and nothing will be easy.

“But I prefer where we are now with our experience and we know what it’s like to go to a big stadium and we know what Middlesbrough are like, we know what the Championship is like so I’m looking forward to it.”

On Ravel Morrison: “He’s a talented player isn’t he. Certainly wouldn’t rule anything out that Ravel has got because he was the same for Manchester United and he’s got real quality in him. There is quality all over the Championship and we’ve got it as well, we need to remember that.”

On winning on the road: “What I do know is that the performances have been consistent, and the players have got great attitude and great desire to go and do it. It will come from them, it will always come from the player, but I see a team that is performing and that gives me great pleasure.”

Who?

A Premier League outfit as recently as 2017, Boro have plied their trade in the Championship since relegation down to the second tier that year. Fifth and seventh placed finishes have seen them come close to returning back to the big time, but fell at the semi-final stage of the play-offs in 2018, before missing out all together last season.

When and where?

Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday 15th February at Riverside Stadium.

Man in the middle?

Tomorrow afternoon's game will be refereed by Jarred Gillett, who has taken charge of 21 matches so far this campaign. He has dished out 73 yellow cards and two red cards.

Ticket information

The Hatters have sold around 750 tickets for the game at the Riverside Stadium, whilst tickets will be available for purchase on the day at Middlesbrough.

Played before?

The two sides met on the first day of the season at Kenilworth Road and played out a very entertaining 3-3 draw.

Town hold the superior head-to-head record with 12 wins compared to Boro’s nine, whilst there has been seven draws as well.

Follow the action

The main blow-by-blow action account of the action from Riverside Stadium 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/

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