Preview: Luton Town vs Barnet – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Luton Town will welcome Barnet to Kenilworth Road on Tuesday in their opening EFL Trophy group match of 2025-26.

The Hatters will be confident following their 3-0 win against Burton Albion in League One on Saturday, whereas their League Two opponents were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Colchester United on August 30.

Match preview

Luton’s win against Burton was only the second time in seven matches this term that they have found the back of the net at least twice, and they have created the joint second lowest number of big chances (five) of the 24 teams in the third tier.

The hosts suffered back-to-back relegations to League One, and after six matchweeks they are in seventh place with 12 points, just one place and goal difference behind the division’s final promotion playoff spot.

Head coach Matt Bloomfield‘s team have not faced Barnet since 2018, but they did win their two most recent encounters, as well as four of their last five clashes with the visitors.

Luton’s displays of late have been mixed given they have suffered losses in three of their past five games in all competitions while winning twice, and they failed to score on two occasions in that time.

Bloomfield oversaw a 1-0 defeat against Cardiff City at Kenilworth Road on August 23, but they achieved victories in each of their prior four at the stadium.

Barnet were moments away from defeat against Colchester, but a 90th-minute equaliser from Danny Collinge rescued a point.

Boss Dean Brennan‘s side are 15th in League Two with seven points after six games, and they rank as the worst offensive side in the fourth tier’s top 15 having only netted five times.

The visitors’ defensive performances have improved, as while they conceded eight goals in their first four outings of 2025-26, they have since kept two clean sheets in three and conceded just once.

Barnet’s draw with Colchester extended their unbeaten streak to three matches, though it ended their winning run of two games.

The Bees have won their last two fixtures on the road without conceding, and they ended 2024-25 having achieved wins in eight of their past 10 away from home.

Luton Town form (all competitions):

Barnet form (all competitions):

Team News

Luton may start a similar XI to the one they used against Coventry City in the EFL Cup on August 12, with centre-backs Christian Chigozie, Mark McGuinness and Thomas Holmes likely to feature.

Liam Walsh and Zack Nelson, were stationed ahead of the trio in midfield, and the duo are the most probable candidates to appear together on Tuesday.

Number nine Lasse Selvag Nordas could be chosen to spearhead his side’s attack, while Lamine Dabo and Cauley Woodrow may be tasked with flanking the forward.

Barnet have also used a three-man defence this term, and if they do so again on Tuesday, then expect Collinge, Ollie Kensdale and Adam Senior to start.

Anthony Hartigan and Mark Shelton could play in a double pivot, while Joe Hugill will come under consideration for a place up front.

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Shea; Chigozie, McGuinness, Holmes; Kodua, Walsh, Nelson, Bramall; Dabo, Nordas, Woodrow

Barnet possible starting lineup:

Wright; Collinge, Kensdale, Senior; Kanu, Hartigan, Shelton, Glover; Browne, Hugill, Osadebe

We say: Luton Town 0-1 Barnet

Barnet could look to take advantage of Luton Town’s inconsistencies, and they will be confident given they are unbeaten in three matches.

The hosts will be focused on preserving fitness for their promotion charge, and considering they have often struggled in front of goal, perhaps they will experience a loss at home.

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