Luton Town v Middlesbrough betting preview, free tip & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Football/Main Event, 7.45pm Friday

Luton have had some dark days since they last played second-tier football in 2007 but they can make a respectable return to the Sky Bet Championship by holding Middlesbrough to a draw at Kenilworth Road.

The long-term future looks bright for the Hatters, who won planning permission in January to build a new 23,000-seat stadium.

And they have had plenty of success in recent years, climbing back from the non-league ranks by winning promotions in 2014, 2018 and 2019.

Luton have got used to winning games but expectations must be managed this season because they are one of the small fry in a division with several heavyweight clubs.

The Big Kick-Off

• Championship title contenders
• League One title contenders
• League Two title contenders

Just two seasons have passed since Middlesbrough were a Premier League outfit but their parachute payments are winding down and cost-cutting measures are being taken to ensure they continue to meet FFP regulations.

Boro have turned to a former fans' favourite, Jonathan Woodgate, to steer them through the choppy waters.

And it looks a tough first job for Woodgate, who will need patience from the supporters.

Earlier this week Woodgate spoke of the need for more signings before next Thursday's deadline day and described his squad as "really thin". It is easy to see where he is coming from.

Boro have lost a lot of experience with Stewart Downing and Aden Flint moving to Blackburn and Cardiff and Jon Obi Mikel, Mohamed Besic and Jordan Hugill finishing their loan spells.

They signed off pre-season with a 1-1 draw at home to St-Etienne last Saturday but of their 11 substitutes only Lewis Wing, Paddy McNair and Ashley Fletcher have played in the Championship.

Woodgate's options are scarce and his selection at Luton will be influenced by the absences of injured defenders Dael Fry and George Friend.

• Championship team rankings

However, the performance against St-Etienne was decent and Woodgate is boosted by the probable return of Darren Randolph (one of the division's best goalkeepers) from a calf strain.

Boro are likely to be a work in progress during the early part of the season but there are plenty of other clubs in a similar situation, including Luton, who are adjusting to the departures of top class full backs James Justin and Jack Stacey to Leicester and Bournemouth.

Justin and Stacey were crucial elements of last season's Sky Bet League One title triumph, offering vital width in an otherwise narrow 4-4-2 diamond system.

Luton have added plenty of second-tier experience with the additions of midfielders James Tunnicliffe and Jacob Butterfield and winger Callum McManaman but, overall, it looks a weaker starting side than last season's.

Their main aim is to stave off relegation and they can make a reasonable start by sharing the spoils against Boro.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 12-5 BoyleSports

Bet on this match at soccerbase.com

Team news

Luton
Jacob Butterfield joins the squad after signing from Derby on Tuesday.

Middlesbrough
Darren Randolph and George Friend may return but Dael Fry is likely to miss out.

Key stat
Luton are unbeaten in their last 27 home league games.

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