Given their consistency at the turn of the year, Chris Wilder would not have envisaged his Middlesbrough side failing to record successive league wins across a seven-game period.
Such a run has left Boro sitting outside of the playoff spots by two points, their latest defeat coming at the hands of resurgent Barnsley.
Nevertheless, the North-East outfit shook off that disappointment with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, backing up their success over Manchester United in the previous round.
Progress in that competition is far less of a priority than achieving promotion, but Josh Coburn’s extra-time goal has given Boro the boost that they required ahead of this contest.
Although Boro have scored 12 times in six league games, goals from their forwards have been few and far between, potentially giving Coburn a chance to stake his claim ahead of his senior teammates.
Luton were also involved in FA Cup action earlier this week, pushing Chelsea all of the way before eventually succumbing by a 3-2 scoreline at Kenilworth Road.
Despite the frustration of letting a lead slip on two occasions, Nathan Jones will be encouraged by how his players performed against the European and world champions.
Links >> Stream 1 HD Stream 2 HD Stream 3 HD
Returning to league matters, the Hatters will now attempt to further extend their current impressive run of five wins from six matches, the latest coming by a 1-0 scoreline against Derby County.
Danny Hylton has now scored in two successive Championship matches, and Luton head into this contest knowing that victory could take them above fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers, who travel to leaders Fulham, on goal difference.
Jones’s side have won four of their last six league fixtures away from home, a vast improvement on just two victories coming from the previous 10 outings
