Luton Town vs Everton

Kenilworth Road sets the stage for Luton Town’s must-win Premier League clash against fellow bottom-half rivals Everton. 

A disastrous run of three consecutive league defeats in the build-up to this encounter leaves Luton’s top-flight status in the balance as they commence this round a point adrift of safety. Having won just once in their last 15 matches, the Hatters come into proceedings in dire form, yet buoyed by beating Everton twice this season – each time at Goodison Park. Despite racking up more points at home (15) than on the road (10), Luton’s home record against bottom-six clubs is underwhelming, with no win from four such fixtures (D1, L3). They did score in each, as they’ve done in their last four Premier League outings. However, Rob Edwards’ defense has been awful, as it’s been 20 matches since they last kept a clean sheet, doing so against third-tier Bolton in the FA Cup (0-0). 

On the other hand, three successive league wins ‘to nil,’ bookended by a 1-0 home triumph against Brentford last time out, have helped Everton extend their history-defining 71-year stay in the top flight. Despite being deducted eight points for two separate counts of PSR breaches, the Toffees go into the last three rounds safe from relegation, looking to post a fourth straight Premier League win without conceding for the second time this term. However, Sean Dyche’s men have stuttered on the road, most recently succumbing to a dreadful 6-0 defeat to Chelsea, which extended their winless away league streak to nine games (D3, L6). A lack of firepower up front has seen Everton draw a blank on five of their last eight travels, netting precisely one goal in the other three.

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