Luton v Nottingham Forest: Tricky Trees to maintain promotion push

Luton v Nottingham Forest
Friday April 15, 12:30
Sky Sports

Luton lose out on Monday

Luton boss Nathan Jones was left frustrated that two pieces of 'naive' defending saw his side beaten 2-0 at fellow play-off rivals Huddersfield on Monday night. After a goalless first half, the hosts took the lead on the hour mark when Jon Russell was allowed to receive a throw and lob Hatters goalkeeper James Shea to break the deadlock.

James Bree was then clipped inside the area on 70 minutes for a penalty that top scorer Elijah Adebayo struck against the post, before Terriers sub Naby Sarr was left unmarked to head home a corner with a minute to go and seal the points for Huddersfield. Luton are now winless in three but remain fifth with a two-point cushion in the play-off places.

Speaking post-match, Jones said: "It hinges on us not defending two situations because they didn't have to work hard (to score). We were excellent I thought in terms of defensive shape, in terms of everything we did. We were bold, we were brave, we moved the ball, second half I thought we were really good. So two naive bits of defending have cost us."

Forest extend unbeaten streak

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper refused to be drawn into talk of Premier League promotion after overseeing the Tricky Trees' fifth successive Championship triumph. The Reds were 2-0 winners over Birmingham with an early goal from Keinan Davis and a second-half header from Scott McKenna settling matters in front of a sell-out City Ground.

Forest didn't have it all their own way, with goalkeeper Brice Samba having to make two sharp saves to hold Blues at bay. But Cooper's charges always appeared in control as they extended their unbeaten streak to 10 and moved six points off second-placed Bournemouth. The Tricky Trees are now fourth coming into the Easter weekend card.

Speaking post-match, Cooper said: "We could and should have scored more goals, because we got in some great positions. We have to go to Luton and not look any further beyond that. We keep our heads down, we work hard and we will focus on the things we are in control of. Our recovery, our preparation and our performance against Luton."

Reds fair favourites at Kenilworth Road

Luton and Nottingham Forest have not been regular competitors in recent seasons but the Tricky Trees enjoy a slight W2-D2-L1 supremacy in five head-to-head meetings since 2008. The Hatters have returned W1-D2-L0 in the most recent three clashes against the Reds, whilst the earlier season contest at the City Ground ended in a goalless draw.

Only two Championship teams boast a better points return than Luton 3.052/1 since the start of December. The Hatters have claimed W12-D4-L5 in their last 21 Championship fixtures, whilst recording eight clean sheets along the way. However, Town have only W3-D7-L4 when facing off against top-nine opposition, with four 0-0 draws in that sequence.

Nottingham Forest 2.6413/8 were bottom of the Championship when Steve Cooper took charge in September and the former England U17s boss has since overseen a significant upturn in fortunes. The Reds sit second based on points earned since Cooper's arrival (W18-D9-L4), and head to Bedfordshire unbeaten in their last 10 (W7-D3-L0).

Few goals fancied on Good Friday

Luton tend to keep things tight when taking on the leading lights at Kenilworth Road. The Hatters have shut out six of their 11 visitors in 13th and above. Nevertheless, six of those showdowns still paid out for Over 2.5 Goals 2.1011/10 backers with Nathan Jones' men notching multiple goals in six of those 11 dates against the league's most elite opposition.

No team has conceded fewer away goals than Forest (15) though, with the Tricky Trees falling to only four defeats on their league travels this term (W8-D6-L4). The Reds remain obdurate opposition and will be targeting at least a point from a tricky away day ahead of a crucial Easter double-header. It could therefore prove to be a close affair.

Backing Nottingham Forest Double Chance and Under 3.5 Goals appeals at 1.758/11.