Luton Town vs Burnley: Analysis and Insights

Returning to the Championship just one season after both of them managed to escape, Luton Town will host Burnley at Kenilworth Road on Monday in their Championship season opener, in both sides first competitive game since relegation from the Premier League.

Promotion to the top flight failed to go to plan for both sides, along with fellow promotion hopefuls Sheffield United, and all three hold the unwanted moniker of being the second ever trio to be sent straight back down to the Championship following promotion.

The only previous time all three promoted sides had been relegated the following season was all the way back in the 1997/98 season, when Bolton, Barnsley and Crystal Palace were roundly defeated by Premier League Football.

With both sides intent on returning to the top tier of English football as soon as manageable, we take a look at the players, tactics, strategies and absentees who have the potential to play a major part in how this crunch season opener pans out.

Luton Town vs Burnley Pre-Season Form

As both sides seek a season’s recovery from the brutality of the top flight, their attention now switches to topping the pack in the second division, a league in which Burnley in particular are well decorated.

The Clarets’ have topped the Championship on the last two occasions they have competed within the division, with their trophy winning campaign in 2022/23 being the first to pass the 100 point mark since Leicesters’ title triumph in 2013/14.

Burnley played just two friendly fixtures over the course of the off-season, preferring to integrate new manager Scott Parker’s vision on the training pitch rather than in match scenarios. They played sixth division side Warrington in early July, shockingly losing 2-1, although much of their starting side was made up of youth and second string players.

"I've been absolutely delighted with the way things have gone so far."

We caught up with Scott Parker ahead of facing Cadiz 📺 pic.twitter.com/h0B3DCSVBe

— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) August 3, 2024

They then played Cadiz on August 4th, and had a slightly better time of things, although they still couldn’t find a way to win against the second division Spanish side, instead drawing 1-1.

Luton Town played out a more conventional pre-season, securing five friendly fixtures stretching from mid-July to early August. However, results for the most part didn’t fall in their favor, as they lost to Danish side AGF (2-1), Turkish team Goztepe (3-2), and top division Spanish outfit Celta Vigo (3-1).

However, they did beat Ukrainian side Rukh Lviv 1-0 and held Dundee United to a 2-2 draw, and the fact they were competitive and threatening on the attack in all of their friendlies provides optimism for the upcoming season.

Luton Town vs Burnley Head to Head

In their historical head to head, Burnley have not lost to Luton in a competitive game since 2000, when both sides were languishing in League 2. However, given Luton’s legendary surge up the leagues over the last decade or so, it seems the Hatters are on a perpetual upward trajectory, and have more of a chance now than ever before to break their Burnley hoodoo.

• 12/01/2024: Burnley 1-1 Luton Town.
• 03/10/2023: Luton Town 1-2 Burnley.
• 18/02/2023: Luton Town 0-1 Burnley.
• 06/08/2022: Burnley 1-1 Luton Town.
• 31/03/2007: Burnley 0-0 Luton Town.

Luton Town vs Burnley Top Scorers

Luton had a vastly superior scoring record in the Premier League last season, bagging 11 more goals than Burnley, and finishing two points above them in the table.

Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo scored 21 of their 52 goals, Morris claiming 11 while Adebayo ably backed him up with 10 of his own. For context, no Burnley player got anywhere close to double figures last season, with Jacob Bruun Larsen topping the charts with six, while striker Lyle Foster could only contribute 5.

CARLTON MORRIS🎩⚽️

Stats since joining Luton:

94 games🔋
31 goals⚽️
14 assists🅰️

Averaging a goal every 3 games💪

What a player he has been for us! Who else is looking forward to see Carlton Morris back in the Championship next season👇 pic.twitter.com/3ODNGvLUdZ

— Zac Neal (@NonLeagueZac) May 26, 2024

Had Burnley been able to rely on a consistent goal scorer last season, things could have looked quite different. They conceded 7 fewer goals than Luton, and had they had a capable finisher up front, close results that didn’t go their way may have gone very differently.

Luton Town vs Burnley Team News

Luton can boast that a fully fit squad will be available for selection come Monday evening. There was worry that defender Teden Mengi would be unavailable for the fixture after being subbed off after 16 minutes against Celta Vigo. However, the club have confirmed that he is fit enough to at least make the match squad for their Championship season opener.

Teden Mengi is FIT to face Burnley on Monday! Incredibly welcome news!#LutonTown #COYH pic.twitter.com/fRszND4M4z

— #InTomLockyerWeTrust (@SSE_LTFC) August 8, 2024

Burnley have a similarly fit squad, mainly thanks to their lack of pre-season friendlies, and will be able to field their strongest squad at Kenilworth road on Monday.

Luton Town vs Burnley Predicted Lineups

Luton Town (3-4-1-2): Kaminski (GK), Walters, Johnson, Mengi, Ogbene, Clark, Baptiste, Doughty, Chong, Adebayo, Morris.

Burnley (4-4-2): Hladky (GK), Roberts, O’Shea, Esteve, Pires, Odobert, Brownhill, Cullen, Tresor, Foster, Koleosho.

Luton Town vs Burnley Player to Watch

While Burnley have been busy in the transfer window over the summer, Luton have been quiet, making only two permanent signings, and the player to watch is in fact an already existing member of their squad.

Former Manchester United talent Tahith Chong finally made good on his long touted promise last season as the attacking outlet in Luton’s midfield three, flanked by the now departed Ross Barkley and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Tahith Chong looking 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/WbOWry0rQr

— #InTomLockyerWeTrust (@SSE_LTFC) August 8, 2024

His keenness to beat his man resulted in success more often than not, and in playing for a team that typically found itself on the back foot, being able to dribble out of defense was a valuable commodity. His seemingless limitless energy doesn’t do the opponent any favors either.

Now playing in the Championship, Chong has the opportunity to have a real break-out season for himself, and if he shows even half of the quality he displayed in the top flight last year, Championship defenders will not be relishing the day they finally have to face him.

Where can I watch Luton Town vs Burnley?

Coverage of the game will be on Sky Sports Football, and should this channel not be available to some viewers, text commentary will be on the BBC Sport and Sky Sports Football apps, keeping you updated with every kick.