In one of the less delicious fixtures of this Premier League season's final matchday, Fulham travel to Luton Town's Kenilworth Road for a game on Sunday that would likely be of very little consequence to either side.
Here, we preview the match as well as provide a prediction as to how the scoreline may ultimately pan out.
Quick stats
- Luton, who have developed a reputation for giving as much as they get, have scored half-a-century of goals in their debut Premier League campaign. That is 11 more than Everton, already home and dry up in 15th, have to their name.
- The Hatters have failed to score in all but one of their home league games this season, the sole exception being a 1-0 loss when Tottenham Hotspur came to town in October 2023.
- Fulham are on 44 points, meaning they will end up at least five short of the tally they finished on last season (52).
- Fulham have already visited two of the other three teams promoted ahead of this season (Burnley and Sheffield United, both already relegated), but have won none of those games, picking just two points.
- Marco Silva's side has managed just four goals in six games, and they have recorded only three wins from their 18 away games.
Match preview
Luton do not have much to play for at this point, except perhaps pride. Their maiden Premier League season, though an absolutely rewarding and satisfying adventure, is set to come to a disappointing end.
Having blown chance after chance to secure survival, their fate no longer lies in their hands. Nottingham Forest may well lose their own last game on Sunday while Luton win theirs, but a huge goal difference that has the former on very steady ground means Rob Edwards’ team cling only to a mathematical probability that is, in all honesty, more of an improbability.
This is the sort of game you just go and enjoy, and that is the least Luton can offer — an exciting parting gift to the Premier League, in the hope that a reunion is not too far away.
Their opponents, Fulham, though, are guaranteed to return for next season's campaign. They may only be four places clear of Luton, but there has never been a real risk at any point this season that Marco Silva's team would go down.
That said, the Cottagers are still set to finish this season worse off than they did the last, stuck in the bottom half regardless of how they do against Luton.
Only one of their last eight games has been won, and they would be looking to sign out with a flourish.
Against opposition that, for the first time in a while, would be playing under no pressure at all, Fulham should brace themselves for a very open contest.
Luton do not have any Nigerian internationals in their squad, but English-bred players who descend from the West African country (and who are still eligible for the Super Eagles) have featured heavily.
One of them, Gabriel Osho, is a key part of Luton's back-line, and another, Elijah Adebayo — topscorer for the club, on 10 goals, tied with Carlton Morris — would lead the line upfront.
There could also be minutes for Lagos-born utility man Fred Onyedinma, who has returned from injury and a loan spell at lower-tier Rotherham United to aid Luton's brave yet ultimately futile fight in the past few weeks.
Fulham, too, would rely on Nigerian stars, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi, who have started a total of 50 league games this season, having both only joined last summer.
That number may well have been more, but for Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) action with their country earlier this year.
Unless Silva decides to give either or both a well-earned rest, Bassey and Iwobi would make their last appearances of the season as Fulham wind down a decent yet tough campaign.
Luton Town vs Fulham H2H
Last 5 Games
September 2023: Fulham 1-0 Luton
May 2022: Fulham 7-0 Luton
December 2021: Luton 1-1 Fulham
December 2019: Luton 3-3 Fulham
October 2019: Fulham 3-2 Luton
Including games in the Championship
Luton Town vs Fulham prediction
Fulham are clear favourites, judging by the head-to-head data above, while their superior league position and relatively better form certainly makes them the likelier side to win this one.
Luton, who seldom fail to score at home, would not go down without a fight, of course. And although stronger sides than Fulham have struggled at the division's smallest-ever ground, the team from the capital might just nick this.
Predicted lineups
Luton Town: Kaminski; Burke, Mengi, Osho; Ogbene, Lokonga, Clark, Doughty; Chong, Morris; Adebayo
Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Bassey, Ream, Robinson; Cairney, Palhinha; Iwobi, Pereira, Willian; Muniz
