Luton’s Fall From Grace: How To Oppose The Hatters

Luton were in the Premier League last season but their defeat against Watford means relegation from the Championship to the third tier is a real possibility. 

With pressure mounting on the Hatters, we examine what has gone wrong and how punters can approach their games in the coming weeks. 

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

New Manager, Same Problems

Luton were amongst the favourites to win promotion heading into the campaign after finishing 18th in the Premier League. They climbed from non-league to the top flight in just nine years but the rise of the Hatters has certainly come to an end.

Rob Edwards was well-liked amongst the Luton fan base and had done an exceptional job. When the team made a very poor start to the season, a turnaround seemed inevitable and you’d have been hard-pressed to find someone that didn’t believe Edwards was the man to do it. However, with no upturn in results, Rob was eventually dismissed in January but there has been no new manager bounce at Kenilworth Road.

Matt Bloomfield, who signed a three-and-a-half-year deal when he joined from Wycombe Wanderers following Edwards’ departure, is still waiting for his first win as Luton boss. There were several signings in January but the spending hasn’t had the desired effect. Bloomfield has secured just three points from his seven matches thus far and the team are averaging 0.57 goals per game during that dismal run. The Hatters have now scored an average of 0.94 goals per match over the course of the whole season, the worst goal return in the second tier.

The decision to change the manager hasn’t kickstarted a revival so the signs are ominous ahead of an important run of fixtures. Are we set to see more misery for Luton in the coming weeks?

Must Win Game Against Portsmouth

Watford dealt a massive blow to Luton’s survival hopes at the weekend. The Hornets secured a 2-0 win at Vicarage Road, leaving the Hatters bottom of the Championship and five points from safety. 

Up next for Luton is Portsmouth, a side that aren’t out of the woods in terms of relegation. Pompey are 17th, nine points clear of the drop zone. If John Mousinho’s side manage to snatch all three points at Kenilworth Road it could be the final nail in the coffin for Luton. Portsmouth have won their last three matches and carry plenty of confidence into this one. Another win would spell the end of their relegation fight.  Mousinho’s men are the underdogs here at odds of 3.50 but their improved form means they’re an appealing bet. 

Bloomfield’s side were unable to secure a victory over Plymouth in their last home match. They squandered some good chances and deserved to come away with three points but failing to beat Argyle in front of their own fans paints a damning picture with just 12 games to go. Luton look set to bow out of the Championship after eyeing promotion at the start of the campaign.

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