Luton Town play host to Harrogate Town in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run to three matches.
While the Hatters sit in 16th position in the Championship, Harrogate occupy 11th place in League Two after suffering three successive fourth-tier defeats.
Although Luton head into this contest having avoided defeat in their last two outings, that does not tell the whole story with their most recent fixture being played on December 11.
As a result of coronavirus cases in their own squad and the opposition’s, the Hatters will have gone four weeks without a match when they take to the pitch at Kenilworth Road on Sunday.
Nevertheless, the powers-that-be will insist that it has been a productive period off the pitch with the announcement that manager Nathan Jones has signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until 2027.
All things considered, it is a remarkable show of faith in the Welshman, who is in his second stint at the club and has guided Luton to just two wins in eight fixtures.
However, Luton have found stability in the Championship under Jones, and that is imperative if they are to continue to solidify their spot in the second tier over the coming years.
Luton and Harrogate have never squared off in a competitive fixture, a consequence of Harrogate being in just their second campaign in the EFL.
The Yorkshire outfit have found stability of their own since moving into the fourth tier, however, and they still sit in the top half of the table despite not recording a league win since November 23.
Although they have lost ground in the promotion race, Simon Weaver’s team have enjoyed better fortunes in cup competitions, earning their spot in the last 64 of the FA Cup with triumphs over Wrexham and Portsmouth respectively.
Harrogate have also managed to reach the last 16 of the EFL Trophy with success against Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United either side of Christmas and New Year
