- Luton have drawn two of their last five matches
- Preston have won only one of their last 10 league fixtures
- Recommended bet: Draw

Preston take on Luton in their third game of the Championship season under a third different manager after appointing Paul Heckingbottom as the long-term successor to Ryan Lowe.

The Lilywhites lost 2-0 at home to Sheffield United in Lowe’s final match in charge and followed that with a 3-0 defeat at Swansea while under the caretaker stewardship of Mike Marsh.

Heckingbottom takes over a Preston side positioned 23rd in the table but only one point worse off than Luton, who lost 4-1 at home to Burnley and drew 0-0 at Portsmouth.

The Hatters are hoping to make an immediate return to the Premier League but are already five points adrift of pace-setters Burnley, who they finished above last season.

Team news

New North End manager Heckingbottom has some big decisions to make but he has a doubt over midfielder Ali McCann, who has not featured this season due to a thigh strain.

Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski serves a one-game suspension and will make way for James Shea.

Jacob Brown, Marvelous Nakamba (both knee), Mads Andersen (calf), Reece Burke and Daiki Hashioka (both leg) are sidelined.

The stats

Preston have won only one of their last 10 Championship fixtures and have conceded the opening goal in each of their last eight league matches.

The Lilywhites have lost four of their last six league games by a 3-0 scoreline.

Luton have drawn two of their last five matches and have gone eight games without a victory.

The Hatters totted up 19 matches without a clean sheet until last Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Portsmouth.

Seven of Luton’s last nine matches have generated at least three goals.

Prediction

Preston will be eager to put on a better performance in their first match under new manager Heckingbottom and they can share the points with Luton at Deepdale.

Making a managerial change at such an early stage was a big call for the Lilywhites, although there were clearly issues to be addressed after eight losses from their last 10 Championship games.

Heckingbottom won a promotion from the Championship with Sheffield United in 2022-23 but he may have more modest ambitions with Preston, who are among the favourites for relegation.

The 47-year-old could be seeking a few late deals in the transfer window, but his first task will be to instill some fight and belief into a club which has been in freefall over recent months.

Luton will do their best to pile on the pain but they have their own issues to address after no win in eight matches.

The Hatters seem to be having a few teething problems on their return to the second tier and their wait for a first victory may extend for at least another few days.

Back the draw at 11/5 with LiveScore Bet

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