EFL Cup 2019/20: Luton Town vs Ipswich Town – tactical analysis

Along with the start of the new EFL season, we also witnessed the return of the EFL Cup with many big names hosted interesting ties on the day. One of the clashes that attracted the attention of fans was between Luton Town and Ipswich Town. Just last season, they were at different ends but also different situations.

Luton had a very successful season under Nathan Jones and Mick Harford as their attractive style of play contributed to their back-to-back promotion. This season, with a new manager in Graeme Jones on the sideline and new additions, they started their journey in the Championship in a very positive way.

Meanwhile, Ipswich were struggled to fight for their spot but couldn’t survive the cut. After a busy summer that saw many of their key players left and also new signings that were brought in by Paul Lambert, they are ready for the League One. But their travel to the Kenilworth Road wasn’t as they wanted. Goals from Lloyd Jones, Elliot Lee and Andrew Shinnie secured Luton a Second Round clash with Cardiff City.

This tactical analysis will provide an analysis of how Luton dominated Ipswich at their home stadium. Meanwhile, using statistics, we will analyse what Lambert could have done better with Ipswich’s tactics that might secure a more positive result over Luton’s tactics.

Lineups

Entering this match, Jones intended to rest his first-team players for the Championship campaign ahead. He allowed the players who couldn’t have a lot of minutes in the season to play and included most of their new signings in the squad.

Luton lined up in a 4-3-1-2 that saw Luke Bolton and Brendan Galloway played as wing-backs. James Bree completed the back three as faced the side that he went on loan at last season. Covered the central area for the home side was another loanee in Izzy Brown, Luke Berry and Andrew Shinnie. Meanwhile, Elliot Lee positioned himself just below the strikers Kazenga LuaLua and Harry Cornick.

Ipswich also had two of their new signings started in the 4-2-3-1 formation with loanee Will Norris started in goal. James Wilson paired up with Luke Chambers as centre-backs while Bailey Clements and Josh Emmanuel completed the back four. Andre Dozzell and Emyr Huws screened in front of the defence and Alan Judge played just behind striker Jordan Roberts.

Lutons style of play

Luton have had a very good game in terms of building attacks and creating chances towards Ipswich’s goal. In total, there were 24 chances created which nine of them found the target. Their overall xG rating was 2.21 and they have overperformed it by scoring three goals during the game.

When they were in possession, the players usually formed a four-man build-up using Berry and Shinnie’s positionings. As a half-back, Berry tended to drop in between the centre-backs and or he could shift a bit farther from the passing triangle. Luton used this build-up strategy in their League Two’s champion season with Justin mirrored Berry’s movements.

Shinnie