On Tuesday, Reading continue their Carabao Cup journey with a second-round home tie against Championship rivals Luton Town.

Below we look at what you should know about the Hatters ahead of the fixture.

Recent Background

Luton Town have been back in the second tier for two years since their promotion in 2019 and survived on the final day of the season last year.

They last played at this level in 2007 before consecutive relegations saw them playing non-league football in 2009.

Five seasons in the wilderness of the Conference Premier eventually ended in 2014 before four seasons in League Two was swiftly followed by a League One title winning season.

Former manager Nathan Jones returned to the club over lockdown, after walking out to join Stoke City, at the expense of Graeme Jones and lost just one match post-lockdown, 5-0 to Reading.

With one of the smallest grounds, and budgets, in the league the task is no doubt to survive; but they will probably hope it is slightly easier than they did last season.

Key Players

With very few signings, just four so far, the Bedfordshire-based side is very settled.

Goalkeeper Simon Sluga came in for some criticism last season, no doubt increased by his club-record price tag, but post lockdown improved and is still the number one for Jones.

The centre-back pairing of Sonny Bradley and Matty Pearson was used very frequently last season and so the familiarity of the defence will certainly help the team’s cause.

However, the signing of former Charlton Athletic defender Tom Lockyer will certainly strengthen the position.

The hierarchy at the club must have targeted full-back as a weaker position as both a left-back and right-back has entered the club in the shape of former loanee James Bree and Wales youth international Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Jones is renowned for his full-back's attacking qualities, so expect to see both rampaging down the wings at every opportunity they get.

Saturday’s 1-0 win over Barnsley saw a midfield of Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Glen Rea and Luke Berry.

This was a common midfield last season, and with no new signings in that position expect that to remain the case.

Going forward James Collins managed double figures last year and has started this year in excellent form, with four goals in two games.

With the support of wide attackers such as Harry Cornick, or new signing Jordan Clark, expect the target man to bag a good amount this year too.

Head to Head

The two sides have met 53 times, with the first back in 1921 in Division Three South.

Without question the most famous meetings between the two are the 1988 Simod Cup Final in which Reading won 4-1 at Wembley.

Luton were also the opponents for the first ever match at the Madejski Stadium, which Tommy Burns’ Royals won 3-0.

However, the Hatters were one of just two teams to beat Reading in the 2005/06 season, winning 3-2 and ending the club’s 33 match unbeaten run.

The travelling sides last win in RG2 came in August 1999, a 2-1 win in Division Two.

Odds

Reading are 6/5 to win, meanwhile Luton are 9/5 to progress during 90 minutes.

A draw, and therefore a penalty shootout, is 12/5.