England Premier League
Saturday 23rd December 2023
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: Kenilworth Road
Match Preview:
The footballing community have had Luton in their thoughts this past week as Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest last weekend when they were playing Brentford with the game locked at 1-1. Thankfully Lockyer survived and has been monitored in hospital but certainly the story has engulfed the town of Luton and it’s fans as the club head into this game. To be sure the Brentford match which was obviously abandoned has been confirmed by the FA to have a replay at some point in the future.
As it stands Luton come into this weekend in 18th place with 9 points and are five from safety though have played a game less than 17th placed Nottingham Forest. Form is not good having lost their last three in a row but their last two have been tough fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City. It should be noted that the Hatters could have walked away with four points from those games given that Arsenal needed a last minute winner and that they were beating City. What has been impressive about Luton so far is that despite the majority of results not going their way they have not been pushovers. Let’s look at their defence at home for some clarification where so far they have conceded 14 goals. It is not a good record but it is the same amount as Manchester United’s highly assembled back four. Also Luton are in the bottom three the other two clubs in Burnley and Sheffield United have conceded 22 and 21 respectively and that is quite a big difference. Recent home form has seen 4 points won from 12 and while that is not good either the club have been improving.
It’s not been a good month for Newcastle so far after being dumped out of all European competition and then in midweek they were knocked out of the EFL Cup against Chelsea on penalties. That result will hurt given that Eddie Howe’s side were winning with just minutes left. In the league they have lost two of their last three games and it’s evident that when they are at home they can put in fine performances but their away form has to be a real concern. Currently Newcastle are in 6th place but based on away form alone they would be in 16th! Last weekend was a victory and one surely needed for the players who have been feeling it lately and they soundly beat Fulham 3-0. But they have lost to both Tottenham and Everton in their last two away games and conceded 7 goals in that time. The club has fallen 4 points behind 5th placed Tottenham and are six points behind a top four finish which given that Manchester City and Tottenham are in front of them decreases the likelihood that Howe’s side will replicate a top four finish from last season.
Team News:
Luton: Reece Burke and Cauley Woodrow could both be assessed but remain doubts and are just 50/50 to return. Daniel Potts is out with no fixed return date due to his hamstring injury. Tom Lockyer is unavailable due to events from last weekend
Newcastle: Harvey Barnes was expected back next week but that has been extended until mid January due to his toe injury. Elliot Anderson and Javier Manquillo are both rated as serious doubts to be ready for this game but Fabian Schar and Joelinton are being tipped to be fine after minor scares involving hamstring and glute injuries respectively. The club has a list of long term injuries with Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Target and Joseph Willock all out. Sandro Tonali is suspended for the season
Luton vs Newcastle Head to Head:
The clubs have not played in this fixture since 1994 and that was an FA Cup game in which Luton won 2-0.
The latest meeting between the teams came in 2018 also in the FA Cup and with Newcastle at home they won 3-1.
Luton vs Newcastle Prediction:
We could be set for an excellent game of football and one that will be end to end. Of course we know that Newcastle is the superior side, they can come here and click and do what they did to Sheffield United (winning 8-0) and this turns into a non game. However Newcastle’s record away from home is very poor and Luton have built up quite an atmosphere at home and this match will be emotionally charged.
There is a feeling that the Hatters can get something here and they will certainly have their chances. If the home crowd get behind them this might not be a cut and dry victory for Newcastle as it really should be on paper. We feel however with the distractions Luton have had this week, it may well give Newcastle the advantage to ease to victory. Obviously we will not use the h2h’s for this fixture given that the sides have not played a league game of football for 30 years!
Luton vs Newcastle Betting Tips:
Full time result (Newcastle) at 1.70
Anytime goalscorer: Alexander Isak at 2.25
Over 2.5 goals at 1.72
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