It may not be the largest in terms of numbers or the closest in proximity, but any derby football match between Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire's sole professional teams captures the imagination of the locals like no other.
Watford continue to enjoy a fantastic season and despite being turned over by South London clubs, Millwall and Crystal Palace in the past fortnight, still harbour realistic hopes of snatching second place from under the noses of Sheffield United.
To do so the Golden Boys will, in all probability, need to win at least four of the remaining five matches, if not all of them, and go into the game looking to regain the superlative form of earlier in the year when they won eight Championship matches in nine starts.
That run began with a 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road in the first game of 2006, first half strikes by Darius Henderson and Malkay Mackay giving the Golden Boys the points despite Ashley Young's second half sending off and a Hatters consolation through Carlos Edwards .
Watford have been indebted this season to the goal scoring exploits of Marlon King, and the 26-year-old will be hoping to crown his 200th career appearance with a 20th strike of the campaign. At the other end of the scale the persevering Lloyd Doyley will be hoping for his first strike in a Watford shirt in his 100th competitive game. 
Luton Town started the campaign well following promotion at the end of last season and until mid October occupied a position inside the division's top five. Their form has tailed off somewhat since those heady autumn days however, especially away from the home, as 11 on the road defeats in their last 14 attempts would suggest.
Hatters manager, Mike Newell is still hopeful of guiding his team to a top half finish though, and will be hoping that Steve Howard, one of the best marksmen at this level, as his 15 goals to date testify and strike partner, Rowan Vine will be able to provide enough fire power during the closing weeks of the campaign to negate a porous defence that has now leaked 61 goals this term. 
History of the Watford v Luton Town fixture
Watford are ready to welcome Luton Town to Vicarage Road Stadium at lunchtime on Sunday, and hold the advantage on previous meetings between the two.
Of the previous 41 matches played the Golden Boys have recorded 19 wins, and Luton Town has come away with 12 victories.
The last match played between the two in Hertfordshire was more than three years back, in September 2002, with Luton Town inflicting a narrow odd goal in three defeat upon Watford in an ill fated League Cup encounter that was marred by ugly scenes of crowd trouble.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
Recent encounters between the teams: | |||||
2005/2006 | Mon 02 Jan | Luton Town | 1 - 2 | Watford | CHMP |
2002/2003 | Tue 10 Sep | Watford | 1-2 | Luton Town | LGEC |
1997/1998 | Sat 14 Feb | Watford | 1 - 1 | Luton Town | LGE1 |
1997/1998 | Sat 04 Oct | Luton Town | 0 - 4 | Watford | LGE1 |
1996/1997 | Mon 27 Jan | Luton Town | 0 - 0 | Watford | LGE1 |
1996/1997 | Tue 29 Oct | Watford | 1 - 1 | Luton Town | LGE1 |
1995/1996 | Sat 20 Apr | Luton Town | 0 - 0 | Watford | CHMP |
Recent Respective form guides
Watford have lost just once in their last six home games, against Millwall (0-2) last time out, winning four and drawing the other one. These high-scoring games have yielded a total of 13 goals for the Golden Boys with just six goals conceded.
In complete contrast to Watford, Luton Town are having a torrid time on their travels, accumulating just one victory and one draw from their last six played. The Hatters have managed to hit seven goals during this period but alarmingly 12 have been let in at the other end.
Watford remain just outside the automatic promotion places, in 3rd spot, having collected 72 points from their 41 games played to date.
Luton Town's 55 points from 41 games played sees them lie just inside the top half of the table, in 10th position.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
Current form guides: | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
Watford | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
Luton Town | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Golden Boys prediction ...
Watford may be coming up against a decent side in Luton Town, but I do believe that its going to result in a narrow home win for the Golden Boys to get their promotion push back on track. Home Win
Sequence statistics: | |
Watford | Failed to win in previous 2 home matches. |
Luton Town | Not won in previous 4 away matches. |