Luton Town vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups ...
Kenilworth Road, the home of Luton Town (Getty Images)
The 2023/24 Premier League season is under way and you can follow every game and every goal right here with The Independent.
This year sees Manchester City try to defend their crown and claim a historic fourth title in succession. Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City, who also won the Champions League and FA Cup last season, will have to see off Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and the rest to claim an unprecedented sixth league title in seven years.
Meanwhile Luton Town are making their first appearance in the Premier League, having risen from non-league in an incredible decade of progress. They followed Championship winners Burnley and second-placed Sheffield United in earning promotion to the top flight.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Luton Town FC 0 - 1 Brentford FC
15:35
Well, for a member of Luton's walking wounded contingent, that's not bad from Kabore as he blocks off the line! It's out for a corner on the right and the ensuing set-piece is nodded away confidently by Mengi for another on that side.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:33
There's a brief stoppage here as high-flying Kabore seeks treatment after clashing with Reguilon. He went in with typical vigour, yet was almost spat out of the 50-50, landing awkwardly on his ankle. He's off but looks to get back into the fray shortly.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:33
Chong blazes over! The rebuild has been admirable since going behind, yet he'll definitely want that one back. He had a bit of space, yet could only flash it across the goal. It could still be rising now...
Luton Town vs Brentford15:31
Luton look to react straight away and Kabore is in behind on the right byline. There's a frustrating lack of Luton bodies in the middle and Flekken can put it behind with his legs. The corner on the right is then cleared with ease by the visitors.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:27
Assist Bryan Tetsadong Marceau Mbeumo
Luton Town vs Brentford15:27
Brentford are putting in a dangerous shift in transition. Luton half-clear a ball after Mbeumo makes trouble for Osho. Janelt fires it back but after more bobbling, Kaminski claims.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:26
After the first 15 minutes, data reflects that 42.3% of the action has been in the Luton Town third. Edwards will be hoping for a more solid offensive reaction.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:25
Brentford go close! Kaminski pulls out an excellent save from Keane-Potter from mere yards out! It's headed down at him after a ball from the left and he tips it smartly off his line. Kabore puts it behind for a corner on the right. There's a real scramble for the ball after this - yet Luton somehow get it clear.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:24
Ajer fouls Chong on the left side. The fleet-footed winger works his magic and the towering Norwegian can't get around his body to the ball. Doughty whips one in from the set-piece, yet it's claimed by Flekken and Brentford counter...
Luton Town vs Brentford15:20
Brentford won the last Premier League meeting between the teams, triumphing 3-1 at Gtech Community Stadium in December. In one of Rob Edwards' admitted least-favourite Town performances this term, Neal Maupay scored first for the Bees in the 49th minute. Ben Mee and Shandon Baptiste also found the net. Jacob Brown scored the Hatters' only goal in the 76th minute.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:19
Ajer tries to break in behind Luton's line after a top team passing move. Chong cuts it out but Brentford regain possession, enabling Mbuemo to cross. Keane-Potter is there at the back left post, yet can't head it cleanly and it spirals upwards. Luton gather and clear.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:18
The pace is building here, and speaking to that, Luton have worked it up the right side of the pitch themselves. Kabore and Clark try and work it from a throw, yet the latter is a little too exhuberant with a lunge on Reguilon who wins a foul.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:17
Brentford move it forward down the right and Chong tracks back to play it off his man for a Kaminski goalkick. That was smart work there from the ex-Manchester United man.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:15
Doughty forces a save from Flekken from the left. It's a palm-stinging effort after his earlier low cross rebounds out to him. The Dutchman stood firm at his near post there but the fact it's out for a throw on the left shows just how hard Doughty struck it.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:14
The first ten minutes have seen a very bitty beginning here. Brentford look to build possession, while Luton are driving forward with more urgency it feels.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:13
Lewis-Potter finds a way behind down the central-left channel in the blindspot of Kabore. The Burkinabe defender gets back in time and puts him off as the winger fires wide left. He's got to switch on here. Brentford may take that opportunity next time.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:10
Kaminski drives a long goal-kick up the pitch. Clark gets it under control but Brentford take no chances in pelting it clear. Luton's direct approach being hit with the very same defensively it seems. We've got a very English game here, it seems...
Luton Town vs Brentford15:10
Brentford are moving the ball across the back now as Luton allow them time. In this moment, let's look at the probabilities. Before the match, Luton's chances of a win were at 31.4 per cent with a draw at 27.6. Brentford's chances of victory sit at 41 per cent.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:07
An interesting fact about referee Jarred Gillett - he's handed out 109 yellow cards and three red cards across his 25 games this season. Luton Town last had a game officiated by Gillett when they lost at Spurs last month.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:07
There's been a stop here as Morris gives away an offensive foul. Luton gain back possession after the free-kick yet need to settle down.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:06
It's a deep free-kick taken short to Jensen by Reguilon. He tries to dink it over the Luton backline, yet the hosts clear. It's reworked and Pinnock rises to send it high and wide of the goal.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:05
Returning slyly, Lokonga looks to make a mazey run through the midfield. He goes through two, draws contact, yet the referee sees no foul. Brentford go forward with Reguilon and Clark brings him down on the left side.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:04
Luton have the kick off and Tahith Chong gets us underway.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:03
Before we get going, there will be a minute of applause for the passing of Joe Kinnear. A fondly remembered character of Luton's recent history, it's a pleasant touch and yet another addition to the matchday motivations.
Luton Town vs Brentford15:01
The players are filtering onto the Bedfordshire turf here as the atmosphere builds. Rob Edwards has called on his side's loyal fans before to step up in this run-in, and with the returning injured, a high-decibel setting needs little provocation. So, while the Premier League anthem rings out, what of our officials? The referee today is Jarred Gillett. His assistants are Darren Cann and Nick Hopton while Craig Pawson takes up the Fourth Official role. Peter Bankes is on VAR, with Timothy Wood as his assistant.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:50
The big news for Brentford is that Ivan Toneymisses out on a spot in the squad completely due to a hip issue. Mads Roerslev, Mathias Jorgensen and Neal Maupay drop to the bench while Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer and Keane Lewis-Potter come in. Midfielder Vitaly Janelt becomes the first player to make 100 appearances in the Premier League for the club.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:50
Luton manager Rob Edwards makes four changes from Saturday's 5-1 defeat at Manchester City. Man City loanee Issa Kabore returns after he was ineligible to face his parent club. Despite playing the depleted squad card in the press this week, Edwards’ teamsheet reveals that Teden Mengi is cleared to play following doubt around his knee. As does defender Gabriel Osho - he makes his first appearance since the 9th of March after a bruised bone knee injury. Even better for the Hatters, Albert Sambi Lokonga starts following an eight-game absence due to a thigh problem. Fred Onyedinma, Daiki Hashioka, Luke Berry and Andros Townsend drop to the bench.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:43
BRENTFORD SUBS: Christian Norgaard, Frank Onyeka, Kevin Schade, Mads Roerslev, Mathias Jorgensen, Neal Maupay, Saman Ghoddos, Thomas Strakosha, Yegor Yarmolyuk.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:43
BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Mark Flekken; Nathan Collins, Kristoffer Ajer, Ethan Pinnock; Sergio Reguilon, Mikkel Damsgaard, Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter; Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:43
LUTON SUBS: Andros Townsend, Cauley Woodrow, Daiki Hashioka, Fred Onyedinma, James Shea, Joseph Johnson, Luke Berry, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Tim Krul
Luton Town vs Brentford14:43
LUTON (3-4-2-1): Thomas Kaminski; Gabriel Osho, Teden Mengi, Reece Burke; Alfie Doughty, Ross Barkley, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Issa Kabore; Tahith Chong, Jordan Clark; Carlton Morris.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:38
Although just a matter of points from cementing their Premier League status this season, 15th-placed Brentford still look to make things certain with this visit to Luton. Their 18-placed hosts have a little less leeway, and know just how important a win might be here, as three points would see them step out of the relegation zone with four games left to go. Hatters fans will be glad to see a number of returning faces, as they hope to scramble some points together while putting last week's 5-1 defeat at Manchester City firmly behind them. Brentford arrive in better form. Beating Sheffield United 2-0 last time out, this capped a four-game unbeaten streak (W1 D3).
Luton Town vs Brentford14:33
Hello everyone, and welcome to this live text commentary from Bedfordshire's Kenilworth Road. Sitting tensely amid a backdrop of basement clashes this weekend between Sheffield United and Burnley, and Everton and Nottingham Forest tomorrow, you join us for Luton Town against Brentford.
Luton Town vs Brentford14:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
