West Ham vs Luton tips and predictions: Dire defending to make for a thrilling Moyes send-off
- George Dempsey
- 9 May 2024
West Ham United will hope to give David Moyes a winning send-off on Saturday (1500 BST) but Luton Town are desperate for three points in their fight for Premier League survival.
If entertaining football from two in-form teams is what you’re after, then know there are five other 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
There’s an acceptance that it’s time for David Moyes to move on from West Ham United, but he’ll receive the recognition he deserves before his final home match.
Luton Town have no time for sentiment. A disastrous run of one win in 16 looks to have sealed their fate but two wins from two could lead to an unlikely escape.
They’ll have to throw everything at the Hammers so, despite its billing, it could transpire that this turns out to be the game of the day. No, that isn’t tongue-in-cheek, just hear us out.
Across West Ham’s last seven home matches, they’ve lost 6-0, won 4-2 and drawn 2-2 with Burnley and Liverpool.
Rob Edward’s side and defence go together like Mike Tyson and the English language. They just aren’t a match made in hefthen.
The Hatters have shipped 24 goals in their last seven outings, allowing Man City, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Liverpool to find the net four or more times.
The Hammers are not Pep Guardiola’s title chasers but they have found the net regularly against struggling sides, scoring two or more in six of seven meetings with bottom-six sides.
Yet like Town, they’ve struggled to keep teams out. Dating back to a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United in January, the London club have allowed an average of 2.5 goals per game.
The home team have nothing to lose, the visitors are desperate for three points and neither team can defend, so the second half could be packed full of goals.
Team news
Konstantinos Mavropanos and Nayef Aguerd may be fit enough to return to the squad.
Kalvin Phillips’ ill-fated spell at West Ham has come to a premature end due to injury.
Rob Edward’s will be without the services of Tom Lockyer, Issa Kabore, Marvelous Nakamba, Jacob Brown, Amari’i Bell, Dan Potts, Mads Andersen and Chiedozie Ogbene.
Key stats
- West Ham beat Luton Town 2-1 in the reverse fixture
- West Ham have conceded 15 goals in their last five matches across all competitions
- There have been 26 goals scored in West Ham’s last seven home matches
Luton Town have conceded 24 goals in their last seven away matches
Suggested bets
Both teams score in second half
