Match Pack: Watford v Luton Town

• Watford v Luton Town
• Sky Bet EFL Championship
• Vicarage Road (Behind Closed Doors)
• Saturday September 26, 12.30pm BST

• Referee: John Brooks
• Assistants: Akil Howson, Nick Greenhalgh
• Fourth Official: George Byrne

Luton Town narrowly escaped relegation last campaign, with former manager Nathan Jones returning in May to orchestrate a late rise out of the drop zone. They have started the new season brightly, with wins against Barnsley (away, 1-0) and Derby County (home, 2-1) in the Championship. New signing Jordan Clark scored the winner last time out and another in the Carabao Cup, while last year's top scorer James Collins already has four goals in all competitions.

• This is the first league meeting between Watford and Luton since April 2006, a 1-1 draw at Vicarage Road.
• Luton are winless in nine league matches against Watford (D7 L2), last winning back in September 1994 in a 4-2 triumph, with goals from Kerry Dixon, Scott Oakes and a Paul Telfer brace.
• Watford are looking to keep clean sheets in their opening three league matches of a season for the first time since the 1988/89 campaign.
• Since his first game back in charge of Luton in June, Nathan Jones has led the Hatters to 22 points in 11 Championship matches (W6 D4 L1) – only Brentford have won more points in this time (24).
• Luton have won their last four league matches, their best winning run within the top-two divisions of English football since November 1986; the Hatters haven’t won five in a row in the top-two tiers since November 1981 under David Pleat.

Troy Deeney and Ismaïla Sarr are both training with the first-team group and in contention to feature this Saturday, Vladimir Ivić confirmed, with late fitness checks expected for both players. Andre Gray, Will Hughes and Adam Masina are among those still unavailable. See HERE for more info.

Vladimir Ivić, Watford Head Coach:

“I know how important it is for the fans, I have had this kind of game in my past and I know how important it is to win, to prove you are the best, and we will fight for this.

“The players know what kind of game this one is, it’s not something usual. I’m sure that our players who are not from England, they will understand and know about the game between Watford and Luton. The people from the club who are around me, they explain what this game means.

“I understand that it’s different for the fans, a different feeling for them after the game. If they win, they will be proud, and we will give our best for sure to make our fans happy and proud.”

Overall:

• Won 28, Drawn 23, Lost 36

Last Six:

• Apr 2006: Watford 1-1 Luton Town (Championship)
• Jan 2006: Luton Town 1-2 Watford (Championship)
• Sep 2002: Watford 1-2 Luton Town (League Cup)
• Feb 1998: Watford 1-1 Luton Town (Division Two)
• Oct 1997: Luton Town 0-4 Watford (Division Two)
• Jan 1997: Luton Town 0-0 Watford (Division Two)

The Hornets put five past their old rivals in April 1983 as Graham Taylor's side honed in on their highest ever league finish – second in the top flight. A brace from record goalscorer Luther Blissett and efforts from Richard Jobson, John Barnes and Nigel Callaghan put the Hatters to the sword. Blissett opened the scoring before two Luton goals put the visitors ahead. But Jobson equalised before half-time and then two Watford strikes inside one second-half minute gave the hosts a good lead. Callaghan tapped in the final goal to make it 5-2, completing the rout.