Prediction: Luton vs Newcastle

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.70

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Luton will try to take advantage of Newcastle’s recent fall in form and claim a win in front of their fans. The game is very important for the hosts who are engaged in a fierce battle to avoid relegation.

Luton

The team from the outskirts of London is finding life in the Premier League a bit difficult. Luton had been given minimal chances to avoid relegation despite achieving a historic promotion to the top stage of English football. The side coached by Rob Edwards plays attractive football managing to score against City, Arsenal and Liverpool. Despite that, The Hatters managed to secure only one victory on home ground (2-1 against Crystal Palace). Luton shocked the audience in their home match against Liverpool, managing to get a draw. It was a game in which the newly promoted team took the lead but disappointingly conceded in the final minutes of extra time (1-1 final score).

The hosts sit 18th in the table, 5 points below safety. Rob Edwards’ players like to attack, managing to average over 1 goal scored per game. Luton impressed at Kenilworth Road playing at the same level as Premier League leaders, Arsenal. Unfortunately, the fan favourites gave a 3-2 lead just to go and lose dramatically in the stoppage time (3-4 final score). It seems that Rob Edwards’s players are lacking focus in the last minutes of the play, suffering an identical fall against Liverpool. A feat that repeated as well in the last game played at home, this time against the champions Manchester City. Luton went 1-0 up at the half time only to concede 2 goals in 7 minutes and lose the game in the end.

Team News

Rob Edwards has all his players available to face Newcastle. He is expected to set up his usual 3-4-3 attacking line-up. Elijah Adebayo has been in incredible form this season. He proved his value by scoring against the top Arsenal and Manchester City defenders. Another goal scored against an out-of-form Newcastle is very likely to occur.

Newcastle

Newcastle is going through their toughest period in years. The visitors have suffered 4 defeats in their last 5 games. The Magpies suffered an expected dip, being engaged in battles on multiple fronts.  The long list of injuries is making things impossible for Eddie Howe and his coaching staff. Newcastle suffered a terrible blow, being knocked out of the Champions League at the end of a dramatic home loss to AC Milan. The visitors are not doing well domestically either as they sit 6th in the league, 5 points behind the top 4. On top of that, Eddie Howe’s players suffered another big blow in the League Cup.

It was a very tight game at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea who managed to win at penalties in the end. With a calendar full of matches during the Holidays, any result other than a victory against Luton can significantly diminish Newcastle’s chances of playing Champions League football next season. Facing Nottingham Forrest after Luton, the visitors need positive results in these 2 games before they travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool.

Team News

Newcastle are facing a major injury crisis having 11 players out of action. Except for Sandro Tonali who is serving a ban due to being involved in illegal betting, all the other players are working hard in the recovery room to get back on the pitch. Alexander Isak, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope and Fabian Scharr are the key missing players who will not travel to Luton.

Key factors to consider

• Luton lost their last 3 Premier League matches. Although they faced top opponents like Arsenal and Manchester City, the hosts managed to score against these top sides.
• Rob Edwards’s team defeated only Crystal Palace on Kenilworth Road (2-1).
• Luton is engaged in a relegation battle, hoping to emerge victorious at the end and extend their stay in the Premier League.
• Newcastle’s condensed fixtures with games played every 3 days have put a toll on Eddie Howe’s players.
• The Magpies played against Luton only once at Kenilworth Road. It was a 0-0 Championship game from 1993.
• Eddie Howe’s side’s last win away was a November 3-0 display at Old Trafford.

Conclusion

Luton is facing an injury-hit Newcastle that was dropped from the Champions League and the League Cup in a week. The hosts are playing attacking football on Kenilworth Road leaving open spaces for their opponents. Although Newcastle is in a free fall, the Magpies have the quality to score at least 1 goal.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best odds: 1.70

Bookmaker: ZetBet