England Premier League
Saturday 3rd February 2024
Kick off at 3pm GMT
Venue: St. James' Park
Match Preview:
Newcastle really needed a victory in midweek but it was always going to be difficult to beat a team in Aston Villa who were unbeaten at home, in the end an injury prone and out of form Newcastle side won 3-1 which just underlines how strong and unpredictable Premier League football can be. We know that Newcastle have got the quality to win these games but they have been incredibly unlucky with injuries and had just been stunned with four defeats in a row, this was a nice bounce back win. Manager Eddie Howe will hope the victory can act as a springboard now as he needs his team to put a run of wins together. Is a top four finish possible? Well the Magpies come into this weekend down in 8th place and are 11 points from that target but maybe in beating quality like Aston Villa that can serve them well.
At home Eddie Howe’s side have won 8 games from 11 but have lost three times and their last two home games have both ended in defeats which came against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. Newcastle at least for 24 hours would move into seventh place and past Manchester United if they won this game and they will be widely expected too.
Luton have been brilliant over the past six weeks and they have gone from near certainties to be relegated to safety, albeit only to 17th place and one point above the bottom three but still it has been a fantastic effort from Rob Edwards side. It is one defeat in their last five games and the club has earned 10 points from their last 15 on offer. There have been good vibes lately with the Hatters who have smashed Brighton 4-0 in midweek and also beat Everton in the FA Cup to reach the fifth round, although they will now face Manchester City. With victory here the club would go into 16th place and possibly four points clear of the bottom three if Everton were to lose to Tottenham. These seem like exciting times for the club who will be focused that this is the time of the season to pick up points when form and confidence is so high. It is true that away from home Luton has lost 60% of their games but recent away form tells us that they have gone their last two games undefeated with victory over Sheffield United and a draw against Burnley.
Team News:
Newcastle: Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak will both be assessed and have a chance to play in this game. Elliot Anderson remains out for at least two more weeks due to an ongoing back injury. Jamaal Lascelles will be assessed for fitness but could return. Matt Targett won’t return for at least 3 weeks due to a shoulder injury. Joseph Willock is only 50/50 to return because of a lack of match fitness and it is the same situation for Callum Wilson who will be assessed. Nick Pope isn’t expected back for two months due to a shoulder injury. Joelinton looks like he will be out until May with a thigh injury and Sandro Tonali is suspended for the season
Luton: Issa Kabore, Teden Mengi and Jacob Brown will all be assessed. Mads Andersen is expected to miss out with his calf but could return next weekend. Tom Lockyer and Marvelous Nakamba are out long term
Newcastle vs Luton Head to Head:
The teams last played each other here in the FA Cup in 2018 which Newcastle won 3-1.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture Luton won 1-0.
There is a 70% chance to see under 2.5 goals.
Newcastle vs Luton Prediction:
Apart from the last two games these two sides have not played each other in almost 30 years so we don’t need to concentrate too much on the h2h. Both clubs come into this game with a major boost and a spring in their steps and it’s interesting to see that Luton currently has the better form. However there is good news for Newcastle. Their injury list has come down from a novel size to a short story one and some key players are due back. They would have taken a lot of heart with the win over Villa and we expect them to romp home here to a win.
Luton will give no quarter and will dig in deep, the club has been gung ho but in a good way and really impressed. The worry is that they may believe in their own hype and try to take on a dangerous Newcastle side away from home and suffer the consequences. Newcastle could get a few goals here and we expect them to do so, but also Luton can play their part, this game has the potential to be one of the most exciting of the weekend.
Newcastle vs Luton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (-1 Newcastle) at 1.60
Over 3.5 goals at 2.25
Anytime goalscorer: Alexander Isak at 1.91
Anytime goalscorer: Anthony Gordon at 2.50
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