Has Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town been postponed? Potential new date needed after Storm Babet strikes UK
Nottingham Forest are set to take on Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday, October 21. However, there are concerns that the game could be called off if the pitch is waterlogged.
Storm Babet has hit the United Kingdom and the Environment Agency issued flood warnings around Bristol, the Midlands and Yorkshire.
A red weather alert given by the Met Office warned of a “danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater” in parts of Scotland. Tragically, the storm had already claimed two lives as of Friday afternoon.
Several matches in Scotland in particular have already been postponed due to flooding and waterlogged pitches, and there are concerns that Forest’s match will also need to be moved.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET) at the City Ground, which is located on the banks of the River Trent. According to the government’s website, there are flood warnings within five miles of the stadium and the trend of the river is “rising”, which could throw the game in doubt.
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Has Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town been postponed?
As of Friday, October 20, the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Luton Town had not been postponed.
However, with further rain expected to fall over the coming 24 hours, there were no guarantees that the game would be able to go ahead safely.
Nottingham Forest vs Luton Town pitch inspection
There has not yet been official word from Forest or the Premier League to say there is a pitch inspection scheduled ahead of the match.
However, if the storm continues through the night into Saturday morning, it will likely mean the playing surface will have to be checked to determine whether it is safe for the teams. There may also be problems for fans trying to attend the game as a result of flooding.
According to The Athletic’s Nottingham Forest reporter Paul Taylor, the club are hopeful the game can go ahead.
Nottingham Forest are hopeful that tomorrow’s game against Luton will not be put at risk by the heavy rain and flooding – but will continue to monitor the situation along with local authorities.
More below #NFFC https://t.co/3ImL8Sb0f9
— Paul Taylor (@nottmtails) October 20, 2023
There have been some images posted across social media of a waterlogged pitch at the City Ground, but some of these are old photographs that have been recirculated.
Where are Nottingham Forest in the Premier League?
Forest have started this season’s campaign considerably better than last year as they sit 13th in the table.
Their most impressive performance came away to Chelsea at the start of September as they shocked Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 win thanks to Anthony Elanga’s goal.
Steve Cooper’s men are, however, without a win in four games, but their home form is what should bring confidence against Luton. They have lost just two of their past 18 league home matches and are currently enjoying a six-game unbeaten run at the City Ground in the top flight, which includes a 2-1 win against Sheffield United and a 1-1 draw with Burnley, the other two promoted sides.