On Friday, at 19:45 pm, Luton receives the visit of Middlesbrough, in the first leg of the second English league – Championship.
Without Friend, Fry and Randolph, Middlesbrough begins a new fight for promotion in the first league, and newly-promoted Luton will have great difficulty blocking guest stars. Last season, Luton was the offensive force in League One, but the level has risen in the Championship, where the blacks hope to escape the relegation battle.
Both teams have changed their managers during the summer break, and Boro’s players have only words of praise for Jonathan Woodgate, the new manager of Riverside. With Britt Assombalonga in the attack, the red-and-white will be a difficult opponent for Luton, a team that has tall and solid defenders, but deficient in the “speed” chapter.
In this summer’s friendly, Luton passed Bedford (2-1), Baskingstoke (7-2) and Maritimo Funchal (2-0), but lost to Norwich (1-5). On the other hand, Middlesbrough had a very good attack, in the friendly with Gateshead (3-1), Hartlepool (4-0) and Salford (3-1). The Heidenheim Failure (1-5) was caused by the rotations made in Robbie Keane’s first 11, and Middlesbrough finished the preparations with a draw in front of St. Etienne (1-1). We expect Boro to dominate the match on Kenilworth Road, where we rely on the guest team. Experience and value difference should make a difference for the band in the north of England.
PREDICTION: Both teams to score / YES @ 1,76
