Luton vs Newcastle tips and predictions: Spirited Hatters to dig deep on emotional day
Luton Town players
Luton Town will play host to Newcastle United at Kenilworth Road in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon (1500 GMT).
Luton Town will take to the field for the first time since the harrowing moment captain Tom Lockyer collapsed having suffered a cardiac arrest.
The same terrifying fate befell the Welsh international at Wembley seven months ago and he was later diagnosed with a condition that causes abnormal and fast heartbeat.
It speaks volumes about their character that Luton were still able to win the play-off final, but this situation, which is far bigger than football, makes tackling this game from a betting opportunity tricky.
Newcastle are struggling on their travels and even their most reliable players, like Kieran Trippier, haven’t been able to impact the game positively.
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup shootout defeat at Stamford Bridge was made possible by a calamitous error by Trippier in the dying seconds.
Before that, Eddie Howe’s side lost 2-0 to Bournemouth, 3-0 to Everton and 4-1 to Tottenham.
Both sides are looking to bounce back from testing circumstances and who does a better job of that will decide the outcome of this game.
As tough a week as it’s been for Luton, they’ve shown such defiant spirit this season. From holding to Liverpool to so nearly upsetting Arsenal and Man City.
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We expect the crowd to rally around the players and lift them with the atmosphere inside Kenilworth Road on Saturday.
During the peak of their injury crisis, players like Joelinton and Anthony Gordon were the saving grace for the Magpies, but both are a major doubt for the weekend.
Even if Newcastle do produce the perfect response, it’s hard to ignore the fact it’s been 62 games since a team won by two clear goals in any competition at Kenilworth Road.
Team news
Luton will be without Reece Burke, Dan Potts and Tom Lockyer are unavailable. Cauley Woodrow has recorded from injury and Marvellous Nakamba is back from suspension.
Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Fabian Schar, Javier Manquillo, Joelinton and Matt Target are ruled out.
Anthony Gordon and Emil Krafth picked up knocks in the midweek defeat to Chelsea, while Alexander Isak is being monitored for fatigue.
Sandro Tonali is serving a suspension for breaching betting regulations.
Key stats
- Luton haven’t lost by two clear goals in 62 home games across all competitions
- Luton have scored 10 goals in eight home matches this season
- Newcastle have won one of 10 Premier League away games
- Newcastle have conceded 17 goals in eight Premier League away games