Luton gained promotion to the Premier League after winning the penalty shootout

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Just five years ago it was a Championship game between Luton Town and Coventry City, but today the two teams meet at Wembley with a place in the Premier League and around £170m at stake.

Having either team in the top flight would be a refreshing change from the interchangeable cast of yo-yo clubs that seem to be occupying the promotion places. Coventry’s relegation from the Premier League in 2001 ended their 34 consecutive seasons in the First Division, before poor ownership and financial strife saw them relegated to the Fourth Division. Luton Town spent four seasons in the Conference between 2009 and 2014, after a controversial 30-point deduction imposed on them by the Football Association. Nine years later, Luton are third in the Championship and are now one win away from their first flying season since 1991-92.

Rob Edwards’ Luton finished 10 points ahead of Coventry in the regular season so are considered favourites, even if both head-to-head matches end in draws. Both teams have averaged less than 50 per cent possession this season, with Luton’s game marked by a high tempo and pressing style and Mark Robins’ Coventry tending to drop back and defend well before counter-attacking. That could mean a very small competition with a lot of turnovers. Luton and Coventry’s goal, volley and expected goal output are relatively mediocre, so it’s shaping up to be a low-scoring final.

Gustavo Hammer trained with Coventry this week and looks likely to be fit, while Luton have no fresh injury concerns. Much of Luton’s coverage has focused on their 10,000 capacity Kenilworth Road home.

“We get the cheers from the fans away, Luton like a hole, all of it. They sing about tin shacks and cowsheds,” said Kevin Harper, of the Luton Town Supporters Trust. “It’s inevitable: they’re absolutely right. But there is something magical about this place. Come on, try it, it’s different, you’ll never forget Kenilworth Road.”

Full team news on the way soon.

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