FA CUP PREVIEW: Stunning home record has Luton hot favourites against Cobblers

In 26 games at Kenilworth Road, Luton have recorded an incredible 21 wins, with four draws and just one defeat.

The only FA Cup meeting between the clubs was back in 1961, when Town won 2-1, meaning their only reverse was in 2000 when Northampton won 2-0 with goals from Jamie Forrester and soon to be Luton legend Steve Howard.

Hatters will be hoping the match doesn’t go to a replay though, with the records completely revesed at Sixfields, with Northampton winning 16 to Luton’s five.

Its been a tough few seasons for Cobblers fans as they struggled to 16th last year, whereas this campaign has been even worse, as they are down in 20th place.

Things had started well though, with Gary Johnson’s side knocking out Championship team Ipswich at Portman Road in the Carling Cup, while they also won 1-0 at Aldershot, before five defeats in a row, including a 4-0 cup hammering by Wolves.

A run of seven games without a win was ended in style, with a 3-0 victory at AFC Wimbledon, but that proved a false dawn as Northampton have lost five of the last six games.

Only one victory at Sixfields hasn’t appeased the home supporters, but on their travels, Cobblers have fared better, with three wins to their name.

Boss Johnson had a major reshuffle in the summer, with the likes of Chris Dunn, Billy Mckay, Steve Guinan and Leon McKenzie all moving on, while in came Bas Savage, Aaron Davies, Paul Turnbull and Nathan Ofori-Twumasi to name but a few.

Striker Shaun Harrad, from whom big things were expected when he signed from Burton Albion was also sold, as he left for Bury.

Johnson has heavily relied on the loan market with Kelvin Langmead, George Baldock, Derek Niven, Saido Berahino and Marlon Jackson all joining on short-term deals.

Team news: Hatters still have a number of injury worries, with Tommy Wright out after picking up an ankle injury, while fellow striker Stuart Fleetwood is suspended. Ed Asafu-Adjaye (foot) and James Dance (cheekbone) are both out while Freddie Murray was deregistered in the week. New signing Greg Taylor is cup-tied too after playing in the previous round for Darlington.

The likes of Charlie Henry, Dan Gleeson and Shane Blackett all completed 90 minutes for the reserves against Stevenage on Tuesday and come into consideration.

Northampton rate on loan Chesterfield midfielder Derek Niven as a 40 per cent chance of being fit, while Jake Robinson is also out. West Brom youngster Saido Berahino should be available as he was withdrawn from the England U19s match with Denmark at Brighton on Thursday night in preparation for the FA Cup.

Paul Turnbull, Arron Davies and Ashley Corker are expected to be fit for the Cobblers.

In charge: Gary Johnson – played the majority of his football in the non-league scene, with the likes of Walton & Hersham, Tooting, Newcastle Town, Crawley Town and Swedish club Storfors AIK.

Became manager of Cambridge United in 1992 and then moved to Kettering, before spending two years as boss of the Latvia national team.

Enjoyed successful spells at Yeovil Town and Bristol City, before he went to Peterborough and was unveiled at Northampton in March 2011 after Cobblers boss Ian Sampson was relieved of his duties.

Hasn’t enjoyed the best of times at Sixfield though, with seven wins and 16 defeats from 33 games so far.

View from the opposition: Kelvin Langmead - “Derby games are always good games to play in because they always have a little bit of extra spice.

“It’s a game we’ll look forward to. We have to get Saturday’s disappointment out of our systems and we have to do it quickly. We’ve been working hard this week and hopefully we have shown enough people that we are committed to the cause.

“But we all know that it’s got to be better and that it isn’t happening for us at the moment.”

Friendly faces: Hatters central defender Dean Beckwith moved to Kenilworth Road from the Cobblers during the summer after playing 84 times in total for Northampton, scoring three goals.

Town striker Danny Crow also had time on loan at Sixfields, joining from Norwich in 2005 and netted twice in 10 games, while midfielder Jamie Hand played 11 times for Cobblers whilst on loan from Watford during the 2005-06 season.

One to watch: Adebayo Akinfenwa - The chunky striker moved to Sixfields in pre-season for his second spell with the club and is top scorer with five goals in 15 appearances.

On a barren run of four games without finding the net, but the 29-year-old striker knows where the goal is, especially in his first time at Cobblers where he scored 39 times in 95 games.

Started life at Barry Town before moving to Boston United and Leyton Orient, but it was at Torquay and Swansea where he made his name, until moving to Northampton and also Gillingham until he left last season.

Top scorers: Hatters: Amari Morgan-Smith (9) - Cobblers: Adebayo Akinfenwa (5).

Last time out: Luton were healthy winners over Northampton in a League One clash back on October 15, 2007.

Town took the lead through Darren Currie, before Bradley Johnson, now in the Premiership with Norwich City, levelled the match.

In the second half, Hatters ran riot though with Matthew Spring scoring two penalties, while sandwiched in between was a goal for Paul Furlong.

Hatters: Dean Brill, Alan Goodall, Chris Perry, Richard Jackson, Jaroslaw Fojut, Don Hutchison, Matthew Spring, David Bell, Darren Currie, Drew Talbot (Calvin Andrew 85), Paul Furlong.

Attendance: 5,881.

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