The first of two Championship playoff semi-finals takes place on the 16th of May as Luton Town meet Sunderland.
The match will be played at Kenilworth Road and the hosts finished third in the Championship table on 80 points while the visitors finished in sixth place on 69 points, which is why they are away for the second leg.
Ready to go again tomorrow. 💪#LUTSUN | #COYH pic.twitter.com/v8ASjASZwn— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 15, 2023
Ready to go again tomorrow. 💪#LUTSUN | #COYH pic.twitter.com/v8ASjASZwn
Luton Town come into the game having lost the first leg 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. It was Luton Town who opened the scoring after only 11 minutes and they were keen to show why they finished above Sunderland in the table.
However, the Black Cats struck back 6 minutes before half time and added a second goal in the 63rd minute to send Luton Town to defeat.
The loss would have come as a shock to Luton Town who were on a run of 14 matches in the Championship without defeat.
The Hatters won 8 of those 14 games but did begin to struggle in terms of winning matches towards the end of the regular season, drawing 3 of their final 4 Championship fixtures.
Trends show Luton Town are unbeaten in all their last 7 home matches in all competitions. In fact, Luton Town have not lost in 32 of their last 37 home matches in the Championship and have won 5 of their last 6 games on home soil.
Sunderland travel to Kenilworth Road with a one goal lead to defend following the 2-1 victory in the first leg of this playoff semi-final.
Having conceded the first goal against the team who finished third in the Championship, it was a strong comeback from Sunderland who would have known winning the home leg could prove to be key.
The win over Luton Town means Sunderland are undefeated in their last 10 fixtures, all of which have been played in the Championship. They have won 5 of their last 7 Championship matches, including 3 of their last 4 games.
Away form in the Championship shows Sunderland are a team to be feared and they have won 4 of their last 5 away league matches. The wins have come at Norwich City, Cardiff City, West Bromwich Albion, and Preston North End.
There was also a 0-0 draw at Championship winners Burnley. Trends show in their last 17 away games in all competitions, Sunderland have been undefeated on 15 occasions.
Team news and Luton Town have no major injury or suspension concerns. There could be a change to the starting XI from the first leg with central midfielder Allan Campbell coming into the team.
Sunderland continue with an extensive injury list, including Danny Batth, Jewison Bennette, Daniel Ballard, Aji Alese, Corry Evans, Ross Stewart, and Elliot Embleton.
Sunderland have been good in recent away Championship games and know if they avoid defeat here, they will be going to Wembley. Luton Town have stuttered in recent weeks and this one could end level, with both teams scoring, sending Sunderland to the final.