Luton Town

• Luton are just the third side in Premier League history to lose three successive games in which they’ve led at half time after Aston Villa in May 2021 and Sunderland in April 2003 (run of four).

• No side has benefited from more own goals in the Premier League this season than Tottenham (4), with this Luton’s second own goal this season after Tom Lockyer put through his own net against Aston Villa in October.

• Son Heung-min has now scored at least 15 goals in a Premier League season on three of the past four occasions (23 in 2021-22 and 17 in 2020-21). Indeed, five of his 15 goals for Tottenham in the Premier League this season have been the winning goal, no other player has more.

• Only Elijah Adebayo has scored a faster Premier League goal for Luton (18 seconds vs Brighton in January) than Tahith Chong’s opener against Tottenham today (02:17), while it’s the earliest Spurs have conceded at home in the Premier League since March 2014 against Arsenal (72 seconds).

• Tottenham have now earned 22 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, only Liverpool (23) have more, while only in 2010-11 (24) and 2012-13 (23) have they accumulated more such points in a campaign.

Son Heung-min scored a late winner as Tottenham recovered from a goal down to beat Luton and move into the top four of the Premier League.

Tahith Chong's well-worked goal had given the Hatters an early lead, but Spurs responded well and equalised early in the second half when Brennan Johnson's cross was turned into his own net by Issa Kabore.

Spurs laid siege to the Luton goal after restoring parity, but a series of crucial last-ditch challenges kept Ange Postecoglou's team at bay - and Alfie Doughty somehow prevented Johnson's close-range effort from rolling over the line.

However, there was nothing Luton could do about Son's winning goal, which took a deflection off half-time substitute Daiki Hashioka on its way past Hatters goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski.

Aston Villa will reclaim fourth place with a draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Spurs fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Luton fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Eight fixtures make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

• Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

• Aston Villa v Wolves

All times GMT

Listen to national and local radio commentaries and follow live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Gladiators star Bionic.

Sutton's prediction: 4-1

I remember watching Tottenham play at Kenilworth Road in October when they should have been out of sight after the first 10 minutes, but still ended up nicking the points after Yves Bissouma was sent off before half-time.

I am not expecting Spurs to make such hard work of this game, and we should see a response from them after their heavy defeat against Fulham.

I admire Luton, and I am a fan of their approach under manager Rob Edwards. They are more expansive than they were at the start of the season, and I understand why, but maybe it is time for them to play with a bit more balance.

If Luton go to Tottenham and go toe-to-toe with Ange Postecoglou's side, that is very brave. It paid off when they went to Newcastle and nearly won but I don't see it working again here.

Bionic's prediction: 2-0

I really want Luton to stay up - I love Rob Edwards and what he is doing, and his side are fighters. They don't always get the results they deserve though. Ross Barkley is playing so well, he could win this game for them single-handedly but, being realistic, I don't think they will have enough to go to Spurs and win.

See the full list of predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Luton commentator Geoff Doyle spoke to the Luton in the Prem podcast before the Hatters' trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday: "I think Luton might have half a chance [depending on] if Van de Ven is fit or not. He is absolutely pivotal to them at centre-half.

"They play this really high line and if a ball gets played over the top, Van de Ven is the quickest player in the league. He's clocked ahead of [Chiedozie] Ogbene, he's that quick. He gets them out of a massive load of trouble. When they play that high line and he's not there, and Luton can play that through ball, that might be a chance to exploit them.

"This is me looking at it optimistically. [They have] Son, Richarlison and Kulusevski, you can run through the list."

Fellow Luton commentator Simon Oxley added: "They [Tottenham] should have been three up in the first 10 minutes [in the previous fixture], they cut Luton apart. That was the early days of Luton - before they'd got their heads round it all, but it's still a huge task."

Listen to the full episode here.

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Rob Edwards has been speaking to the media before Luton's Premier League game at Tottenham on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from the Hatters boss:

• Winger Chiedozie Ogbene is not available after picking up a hamstring injury on international duty with the Republic of Ireland and is likely to be absent "for a few weeks."

• Edwards joked about the ongoing injury crisis, saying: "I'm losing coaching staff as well as players now," after staff member Kevin Foley tweaked his hamstring when having to fill in during training.

• No injured players have recovered in time to be in contention for Saturday. Sambi Lokonga has returned to "light training" on the grass but he will be unavailable for a few more weeks. Meanwhile, forward Elijah Adebayo could return "for the tail end of the season."

• Edwards is confident Luton can beat the drop, saying, "we are up for the fight" and that staying up "is still in our destiny."

• On opponents Tottenham: "They are a brilliant team. They play quickly and brightly and their individuals are excellent. I love watching them play."

• He said his team need to "attack and give absolutely everything" against Spurs because "they pose lots of threats."

• On what he has learned this season as a manager: "I have improved but I would like to say that all of the staff and players have. We have shown we can compete at this level. It has given me a lot of confidence."

• He said the points deductions for relegation rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest "are not something we think about" because "we can only control what we can", adding: "it is a strange situation."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences here

Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sports editor

Luton have nine games left to try to stay in the Premier League.

Generally, 38 points is the benchmark for survival. However, if you look at the past 10 years, 35 points has nearly always been enough - and this season that could easily be the case again when you consider points deductions and the struggles Sheffield United and Burnley have had.

So that is four wins the Hatters are likely to need and with matches at Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City to come, home form is likely to be vital.

Luton's next two fixtures are away to the north London clubs. Both Spurs and Arsenal will be under a different kind of pressure with Champions League and title challenges at stake.

Optimistic Hatters fans might hope the international break will have unsettled them (particularly Arsenal) and that Tottenham's defensive lynchpin Micky van de Ven remains injured for Saturday’s fixture.

Spurs love that really high defensive line, but without Van de Ven's phenomenal pace it can be exposed.

Luton have hit a winless run of form at the wrong time and still remain one of the favourites to be relegated. But every neutral fan I've spoken to this season has been wholesome in their praise of the Hatters' performances.

Rob Edwards' side have won the hearts of plenty of football enthusiasts who enjoy the attitude of this team.

Considering it is their debut Premier League season, the cost of the squad and the injuries (nine first-teamers still out), this goes down as a fine campaign for Luton whatever happens in terms of survival/relegation. The players, manager, coaches and staff deserve huge praise.

It has already been a season of overachievement and in these last six weeks we will see whether they can cap it all off by staying up.

Listen to match commentary of Tottenham v Luton on BBC Three Counties Radio (DAB) at 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Here are the key statistics before Tottenham host Luton Town on Saturday.

• Tottenham are unbeaten in their past 10 league games against Luton and are looking to complete their first league double over the Hatters since 1983-84.

• Luton have won just one of their 16 top-flight games at Spurs, beating them 3-1 in November 1985. Their last visit was a 4-1 defeat in November 1991.

• Since beating Brighton in January, Luton are without a win in their past eight league matches. Away from home they have conceded four or more goals in three of their past four games.

• Tottenham have won nine of their past 10 Premier League games against newly promoted sides, with their only defeat coming at home against Bournemouth last season.

• Some 36% of Luton's points this season have come from goals in the final 10 minutes - more than any other side.

• Spurs full-back Pedro Porro has had the most shots (37) and accumulated the highest xG (2.2) of any player yet to score in the Premier League this season.

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Luton Town have been winning hearts and minds in the Premier League. They started 2024 strongly, but then the injuries started to bite.

If the Hatters are to ensure another campaign in the top flight they need three things to happen:

Get players back from injury

We are down to bare bones, with only 14 senior outfield players available. Sambi Lokonga is vital in midfield next to Ross Barkley.

We need him, as well as some others, back as soon as possible to ease the burden those who have been running through walls.

Teden Mengi is most notably in need of a rest, but we don't have any defenders who are available to step into his shoes right now.

Score first in matches

Nine games ago, we blew Brighton away 4-0. Since then, we have only scored first once.

Admittedly, that was against Bournemouth - a three-goal lead at half-time - so it goes to show scoring first doesn't always mean you will go on to win a game.

But the home matches against Manchester United and Aston Villa illustrate that giving teams a two-goal headstart means you are fighting an uphill battle.

Cut out individual errors

I love the way we play. Plaudits need to go to Rob Edwards for implementing a stylistic change during the season.

However, sometimes when you're defending you have got to think safety first. We have given quite a few goals away by being caught on the edge of our box.

I'm feeling optimistic about the rest of our season, though, and I hope the players can maintain their tempo for the final nine games.

We all respect the fact it has to be hard right now, with most running on fumes, but hopefully it's been a good rest for many during the international break.

Ollie Kay can be found at We Are Luton Town, external

BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown will be answering your questions, giving his insight and opinion around your club.

So what would you like to ask the former Premier League midfielder?

How does the rest of your season look? Who has been your best player? What does the manager's future hold?

Let us know what you want answered by sending in your questions here

We asked you what the most irritating thing at your club has been this season, whether it be inconsistency, injuries or a player failing to deliver.

Here are some of your replies:

Nick: Definitely the injuries. Of course, every team may claim that, but Luton have had half of the first team missing for most of the season. No disrespect to those who have come on who have given everything, but the players must be exhausted as there's no opportunity to rest them. Hopefully the physio team can sort this out for the future.

Kevin: VAR. It's absolutely ruined the experience of watching a match, especially live. Makes me think if we did go down, we'd at least be in a division not using it and one that's far more competitive and, dare I say it, fun.

Sammy: Not using the January market sensibly. We were short at the back. Dan Potts hasn't played all season, Tom Lockyer was done and we had space in the squad. We only got a left-back in and now we're struggling with injuries and some players look leggy.

Justin: My problem is with those 'supporters' who have moaned about our transfer dealings during the recent window, saying how we should have thrown more money brining in other players. You only have to look at Nottingham Forest to know that huge spends don't guarantee success, but do run the risk of penalties for financial breaches.

Daniel: First, it's the defensive errors. We are under more pressure from attackers and in one game we keep a clean sheet and hammer Brighton, yet in the next a defensive mistake leads to us losing 4-3! Then it's also got to be the injuries. We just have so many, especially in defence, but we can still do this. COYH.

The latest episode of Luton In The Prem sees the team discuss news of Nottingham Forest's points deduction and its implications for the Hatters.

Forest have been deducted four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules. The move leaves Luton 17th in the table, a place above Forest who occupy a relegation place. The Reds could yet appeal their deduction however.

Everton have already had points deducted, their penalty reduced and yet face a further possible sanction for a second breach.

"If Forest do appeal that appeal can only be heard after the Everton case is finished," said BBC Three Counties Radio's Geoff Doyle.

"Everton’s second case will now be looked at. Once that has been heard, then Forest can appeal. If I am Everton, I will co-operate as much as I can as they got two points added back on because of that. If you’re Everton now you’re thinking 'co-operate as that will get us two points back'."

BBC Three Counties' Simon Oxley added: "We still don’t know if Forest will appeal. Speaking to our colleagues at BBC Nottingham, the feeling was if they got six or more points deducted they may appeal but if it was three or four, they might just suck it up.

"Nobody seems satisfied. Forest feel harshly treated as they were trying to compete in the Premier League. Everton are saying 'how come they got four and we got six?'

"I think Rob Edwards Is right, just keep going and playing and see where we end up. I find it inconceivable we could get to the final game against Fulham, Luton doing a dance around the pitch having stayed up and then two weeks later – you’re relegated."

Has Ross Barkley played more or less minutes than Chiedozie Ogbene this season? Listen to Luton In The Prem for a higher-lower quiz on the squad.

The full episode is here

Geoff Doyle
BBC 3CR sports editor

It’s been quite a week again for Luton Town both on and off the pitch. The Hatters are getting used to this and they better be prepared for more of it in the final two months of the season.

Luke Berry’s late equaliser against Nottingham Forest effectively meant that when the latter were deducted their four points they fell into the relegation zone rather than stayed just above it. But the asterisks don’t stop just yet.

Everton‘s second charge of breaching financial rules will now be heard, and judging by the Nottingham Forest case, it would be wise for the Toffees to cooperate with the independent commission.

With all the talk of punishment and deduction it seems to have got forgotten that Forest were effectively given back two points as a result of an early plea, thus allowing the hearing to reach a quicker outcome. If Everton have any sense they will do the same and get two points back too, one assumes, if they are docked more points.

For Luton Town fans this saga is going to carry on to the end of the season. If Forest do appeal it seems like it won't be heard until a decision on Everton’s second charge is made and then the Toffees might also appeal (if deducted more points) which would have to be heard after Forests. What a mess.

So there could be plenty of yo-yoing between now and the end of the season involving three clubs and that final relegation position, even when games aren’t going on.

Luton fans are comparing this to the unprecedented 30-point deduction which put them out of the Football League back in 2008. You can’t blame them but you probably can’t compare then and now as they are completely different charges.

However it does still essentially boil down to club governance and finances and Hatters fans will forever feel aggrieved at the seismic deduction they received nearly 16 years ago.

Luton had to take the punishment and it nearly saw them go out of existence. The club were extremely close to folding.

“They tried to kill us off, but we’re not soft,” the fans still sing and that fighting mentality is within the club and witnessed on the pitch. It is a big reason why Luton are performing as they are and doing their level best to stay up, regardless of deductions, additions and appeals.

As we approach the business end, we want to know the most irritating thing at your club this season.

Has it been a player failing to deliver, injury woes, inconsistent form... or something else?

Let us know your biggest gripe here

Ollie Kay
Fan writer

Fellow teams wish they had one half of the fight Luton Town exhibit.

If you could bottle and sell the secret of how we keep going through adversity, it would make more than the Premier League sell their broadcasting rights for,10 times over.

The fight displayed during our draw against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest shows that regardless of how much money you spend, the most important thing in football cannot be bought and that’s truly playing for the badge and team spirit. Something Luton Town have in spades.

Ten times out of 10, I will take what has been assembled at Luton Town rather than what has been overpaid for at Nottingham Forest.

They can buy all the players they want, but at the end of the day, you cannot go out and buy Luton’s team spirit - epitomised by Luke Berry, who has now scored for Luton Town in League Two, League One, the Championship and the Premier League.

Against Forest, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was the latest of our squad to go off injured, after Murillo launched him into the advertising hoardings, without earning a booking.

However, I am not here to discuss the state of refereeing in the Premier League - I’m solely here to discuss the fantastic job Luton Town are doing while all the odds are seemingly stacked against us.

Pelly’s injury leaves us with 12 players from our 24-man squad in the treatment room. That’s 50% of our squad injured - the highest proportion in the Premier League.

And so, on to an international break where we can get some much needed rest and hopefully be able to welcome some injured players back into the fold.

Nine massive games to go.

Ollie Kay can be found on We Are Luton Town, external