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– Both teams to score has landed in 24 of Luton’s 31 top-flight matches
– Bournemouth have won just one of their last five away games in the league
– Recommended bet: Luton to win and both teams to score
Luton will be looking to give their survival bid a massive boost when they welcome Bournemouth to Kenilworth Road for Premier League action on Saturday.
The Hatters occupy 18th position in the standings, three points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th, and Rob Edwards’ side can put the pressure on the Tricky Trees ahead of their trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
Bournemouth will be no pushovers, though, and a return of 13 points from the last 15 on offer has seen the Cherries put themselves into contention for a European finish.
Team news
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Jacob Brown, Amari’i Bell, Elijah Adebayo, Marvelous Nakamba, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mads Andersen, Dan Potts and Chiedozie Ogbene are all on the sidelines for Luton.
Reece Burke and Gabriel Osho are both doubts and will be monitored ahead of the game.
Ryan Fredericks and Luis Sinisterra remain out injured for Bournemouth, who look set to at least welcome back Marcos Senesi to the matchday squad following a hamstring problem.
However, Andoni Iraola revealed his squad has been hit by illness and there are doubts over a number of players ahead of this contest, including Chris Mepham who missed Tuesday’s win over Crystal Palace due to this.
Antoine Semenyo and Enes Unal were limited to substitute appearances and several assessments will be made closer to kick-off time on other first-team members.
The stats
Of Luton’s 22 points this season, 12 have come on home soil, having beaten Palace, Newcastle and Brighton at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters have scored 43 goals in the league, only Bournemouth and Fulham have netted more of teams in the bottom half, but they have the third-worst defensive record with 64 conceded.
Bournemouth are on a five-game unbeaten streak heading into this contest, winning four and drawing one, although four of those five fixtures were at the Vitality Stadium.
The Cherries have won just one of their last five away assignments in the top flight.
These two met in a seven-goal thriller at the Vitality Stadium last month, with Luton leading 3-0 at half-time before losing 4-3 on the south coast.
Prediction
Luton’s performances have not got the points return they deserve this season and the club must be commended on how they have approached this Premier League campaign, refusing to back down against the biggest teams in the division.
Unfortunately, this attack-minded approach has left them exposed at the back and they have managed to keep just two clean sheets this term, only Sheffield United (one) have a worse record.
But the Hatters have consistently been threatening in the final third, netting 43 times, and both teams to score has landed in 24 of their 31 league fixtures so the chances of this happening again look high.
Luton know time is running out to save themselves and Saturday’s contest looks like the perfect time for them to strike, as they take on a Bournemouth squad that has been hit hard by illness.
The Cherries look as if they will not be at full strength and Edwards’ hosts can atone for the disappointment of March’s 4-3 defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
