PREVIEW: Huddersfield Town v Luton Town

Like the Hatters, Huddersfield are determined not to experience a repeat of the 2019-20 Championship campaign and become involved in a stressful battle for second tier safety this term.

The Terriers were one of the surprise strugglers last season, having been relegated from the Premier League the year before, but were far too close for their own comfort for large chunks of the campaign.

They managed to survive with a penultimate day 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, although rather than manager Danny Cowley being able to build on the feat, he found himself sacked just 48 hours later.

A statement from chairman Phil Hodgkinson said: “We have made this decision in the belief that, in the long term, it is in the best interests of the club.

“We have a different vision for the way we operate the club, and how our ambitions can be achieved.”

Town then moved to bring in Leeds U23 boss Carlos Corberan for his first shot at being a number one in England and he found it a tough baptism, losing in the EFL Cup at home to Rochdale, then suffering defeats to Norwich City and Brentford, going goalless in his first three contests.

They were up and running with a win over Nottingham Forest, as the Terriers looked to be turning things around, victories at Swansea and home to Derby making it three triumphs in four four unbeaten outings.

However, the inconsistencies reared their head once more, Terriers losing to Birmingham and Preston, as although they picked up a fine 3-0 win at Millwall last weekend, a 2-1 home defeat to Bristol City on Tuesday night, conceding twice in the last five minutes, means they are 15th in the table.

A reshuffle in the summer saw a number of the Huddersfield squad moved on, Herbert Bockhorn, Rekeil Pyke, Jon Gorenc-Stankovic, Elias Kachunga all heading out, with Tim Akinola joining Arsenal and Florent Hadergjonaj going to Turkish side Kasimpasa SK for an undisclosed fee.

Two big money acquisitions also departed, Steve Mounie leaving for French top-flight side Brest and Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi moving to Pyramids FC.

Corberan did bring in replacements, Dutch midfielder Carel Eiting arriving from Ajax on a season-long loan deal, while Espanyol defender Pipa headed to Yorkshire, along with Charlton's Mahamadou-Naby Sarr and Cardiff striker Danny Ward.

However they were hit harder on deadline day last month, leading scorer from last term Karlan Grant going to West Bromwich Albion for a fee of £15m, with defender Terence Kongolo leaving in a £4m deal for Fulham.

With little time to bring replacements in, Terriers did swoop for Spanish midfielder Alex Vallejo but he had to quarantine for 14 days on moving to the country.

Team news: Luton saw both Harry Cornick and James Bree back for their trip to Rotherham United on Wednesday night, leaving just a slight doubt over Rhys Norrington-Davies, after he suffered a problem with his hamstring at the weekend.

Dan Potts (groin) remains absent, while Brendan Galloway (knee) and Eunan O'Kane (knee) are long-term injuries.

For the Terriers, Juninho Bacuna missed the defeat against Bristol City with sickness, but is likely to return, while Alex Vallejo is in contention after completing his quarantine.

Alex Pritchard will be sidelined for three to four weeks with an ankle problem.

Top scorers: Hatters - James Collins (5). Terriers – Josh Koroma (3).

Man in the middle: Oliver Langford – West Midlands referee has taken seven games so far this term, still managing to dish out 36 yellows and one red, with an average of over five cautions per match.

Took Town twice last season, the opening night 3-3 draw against Middlesbrough and then Luton's 3-0 defeat at Bristol City in December

That was his first Luton match since November 2016, when he had the 3-1 defeat to Millwall in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Refereed Hatters twice in the 2014-15 season, a 1-0 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon and 1-0 FA Cup win over Bury.

Prior to that, it was November 2010 for his last encounter, a 2-2 draw with Charlton in the FA Cup, while he also officiated a 1-0 win at Exeter in League Two during August 2008.

Referees assistants are Shaun Hudson and Wade Smith, with the fourth official Jeremy Simpson

In charge: Carlos Corberan – 37-year-old Spaniard, who began his playing career with Valencia CF, but retired at 23, deciding to pursue his passion for coaching.

Started working at Villarreal CF's C and B-teams as a fitness coach, a role he he then had with the main squad in 2011, heading to Saudi Arabia team Al-Ittihad a year later.

In July 2013, he had his first taste of life as a manager, in charge of AD Alcorcón's Juvenil A squad, leaving six months later, and then appointed assistant at Al-Nassr FC.

Earned a first senior managerial role in November 2016 when he took over at Cypriot First Division club Doxa Katokopias FC, but only lasted three months, as he was head coach of Ermis Aradippou in January 2017.

Moved to England soon afterwards though, named Leeds United U23 boss in June 2017, promoted to first team coach as well under Marcelo Bielsa a year later.

Led the Whites to the PDL Northern League title in 2018–19 season and the national Professional Development League champions, as he accepted the role of Huddersfield boss in July 2020.

Friendly faces: Hatters defender Martin Cranie moved to Huddersfield from Barnsley in July 2015.

He stayed for two and a half years, playing 64 games for the club, including three Premier League appearances, leaving in January 2018 to sign for Middlesbrough.

Luton's head of goalkeeping Kevin Dearden joined the Terriers in March 1999 from Brentford, but left in June without featuring for the first team.

Played for both: William 'Buster' Brown – born in September 1910, he began his career in non-league football with Fairbairn House and Silvertown, before joining the Hatters, then a Third Division South club in 1930.

Made 57 appearances in four seasons at Kenilworth Road, scoring four goals, before moving to the top flight with Huddersfield Town in 1934.

Used sparingly for the Terriers, with just 20 outings, heading to First Division rivals Brentford, where he played around 250 games either side of the Second World War.

Dropped down to the Fourth Division to sign for Leyton Orient in May 1947, ending his career in the Southern League with Chingford Town the following season.

One to watch: Josh Koroma - Striker came through the ranks at Leyton Orient, scoring 20 goals in just under 100 games for the O's before being snapped up by Huddersfield in June 2019.

He didn't feature much in his first year, with a loan spell at Rotherham, where game-time was also limited.

Back in this term though and after breaking his duck in the 2-1 win at Swansea, has scored in the last two matches, to net three in 11 games so far.

We've got form: Luton have an impressive record on their travels to Huddersfield over the years.

They've only made 12 in total, starting in October 1952 with a 3-0 Division Two defeat, but won their next visit in 1955, 2-0.

That led to a four game unbeaten run for the Hatters, ended in 1963, as since then neither side has been able to gain the supper hand.

In total, Luton have won six, drawn two and lost four of the trips, scoring 12 goals and conceding 12.

Last time out: Luton picked up an absolutely vital 2-0 win at Huddersfield last season on their way to ensuring Championship survival.

Sonny Bradley headed the visitors in front four minutes after the break before Elliot Lee's cracking finish with 19 minutes remaining, following up once James Collins had hit the post, sealed victory as Town did the double over their then fellow relegation rivals.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, James Bree, Dan Potts, Sonny Bradley, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Luke Berry, Andrew Shinnie (Martin Cranie 89), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Elliot Lee (Kazenga LuaLua 80), Harry Cornick (Callum McManaman 68), James Collins (Danny Hylton 80).

Subs not used: James Shea, Peter Kioso, Ryan Tunnicliffe, George Moncur, Jacob Butterfield.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.