Luton vs Sheffield Utd Prediction & Tips
Despite finishing 11 and 21 points behind Sheffield United and Burnley respectively in the Championship last season, it is Luton Town who seemingly have the best chance of staying in the Premier League. The Hatters come into this matchday outside the relegation zone, and although their situation remains delicate, with closest rivals Everton visiting Manchester City this weekend, they should be confident of managing to extend their lead over the bottom three this weekend.
Already ten points clear of the last-placed Blades, relegation is in Luton’s hands, and with a game in hand, this weekend could be extremely important in their battle to stay up. With just one defeat in their last six Premier League games (G3, E2), Rob Edwards’ side look good chances of getting a positive result in this fixture, and after winning their last two games against their rivals, they could win three in a row for the first time since 1977.
Securing that would create even more misery for Sheffield United, who look destined for an immediate return to the Championship. They come off the back of worsening their situation after suffering a 5-0 thrashing against Aston Villa last weekend, where manager Chris Wilder said his side had been outplayed in every aspect of the game – a damning criticism of a club that has allowed the second highest number of goals this season among all teams competing in UEFA’s top leagues.
Their vulnerable nature as a team has been unbounded this season, with no team having conceded 59 goals after 23 games in the top flight of English soccer since Fulham in the 1965/66 campaign. And having allowed three against Luton in the 3-2 defeat in the December clash between the sides, they may need a performance like the one shown the last time they won away to their rivals on the road (6-3 in 1994) if they are to claim a highly unlikely victory.
Players to watch: Ross Barkley scored in Luton’s 4-4 draw against Newcastle last weekend, and none of his three goals this season were scored before the 40th minute, while fellow midfielder Gustavo Hamer is best known for his hard tackles that have earned him four yellow cards in his last eight games, including the previous clash against Luton.
Key fact: Sheffield United are the only Premier League side to have not been booked for any of their last eight games.
Luton – Sheffield Utd FREE TIPS
OVER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
