Yorkshire | Rotherham United face a difficult away trip to Luton Town

Luton Town v Rotherham United preview

After a difficult start to the season, Rotherham have improved in recent weeks and will be looking to continue their unbeaten run.

Author | Jamie P

Stadium | Kenilworth Road

Rotherham United hauled themselves clear of the relegation places and now sit 12th, only four points off the top six despite a difficult start. They will aim to record a fifth win in six league matches this weekend in what promises to be one of their sternest examinations so far.

An impressive win last time out for Rotherham

Goals from Reece James, Ar'Jany Martha and Denzel Hall saw them ease to win over Lincoln City. James gave Rotherham the lead after ten minutes, finding room 25 yards out before beating Wickens at his near post.

The advantage was doubled just after the half hour. Martha brought down Joe Powell's corner on the edge of the area and swept a fine strike into the top corner.

Hall added a third on 59 minutes when the ball broke to him at the back post and he drove his finish into the bottom corner.

Jack Wilshere is starting to enjoy his time as Luton manager

Luton delivered the shocks of last weekend with a 3-0 win over League One leaders Stockport at Edgeley Park, extending Wilshere’s encouraging start in the dugout.

Jake Richards, Cohen Bramall and Isaiah Jones provided the goals, punishing a Stockport side that created chances but failed to make them count. The result moved Luton to within three points of the play off positions.

Stockport threatened early, with Nathan Lowe, Callum Connolly and Kyle Wootton all passing up opportunities before Luton took the lead on 34 minutes. Richards forced Bramall’s delivery over the line to open the scoring. Bramall added a second four minutes later, bending a free kick from outside the box beyond the goalkeeper.

Josh Keeley preserved the advantage early in the second half, saving Lowe’s penalty after Jones had brought down Odin Bailey. Luton then struck again on 69 minutes to seal a commanding win.

Key stats and things to think about

Rotherham head into the fixture on the back of a six-game unbeaten run in the league, with four wins and two draws. They have not put together a longer sequence within a single season since their ten-match surge between January and March 2022, which ultimately carried them into the Championship.

Their recent record at Luton offers further encouragement. Rotherham have avoided defeat on their last four league visits to Kenilworth Road, taking two wins and two draws. Their most recent trip came in November 2022, when the sides shared a 1-1 draw in the Championship.

Luton’s broader record in this meeting is stronger. They have been beaten only three times in their last sixteen league games against Rotherham, winning seven and drawing six, and have kept clean sheets in three of the last four encounters.

Set pieces have been a notable strength for the Hatters this season. No League One side has scored more goals from dead-ball situations, with Luton registering ten. Only Stevenage and Wycombe have conceded fewer from such scenarios, with Luton allowing three.