Luton – Hartlepool, England League One
2004-10-08 20.45 CET
Pick: Luton
Stake: 4% (Split: 2% in the Base Fund AND 2% in the AH Fund)
Odds: 1,67 (2,11: -0,75 AH)
Final reasons
Luton is still without loss in the English League One. So far they have been very impressing and we can’t see why they shouldn’t keep going in the same way tonight. Hartlepool is good at home but on the road they have three straight losses against average sides so playing the current league leader away from home should not be a night to remember for them. We stake in total 4% on a home win. Because of the very generous odds offered on the Asian Handicap market for the -0,75 handicap we split the stake as follows; 2% in the Base Fund and 2% in the AH Fund.
General comment about the game
This weekend all the major leagues are resting due to the WC qualification games. However the lower English leagues keep on playing. Already tonight in form Luton welcomes Hartlepool to a clash in League One. Luton has been outstanding so far and currently seven points clear of second team Brentford. At home Luton has won all games and on the road they have four wins and two draws. One of the major reasons for Luton’s success at home is the defence. During their five home games they have only let in two balls, and of course this is a very good start if you intend to win games. The only problem Luton has experienced at home is that they have had difficulties to kill the games at early stages. With the tight defence however they have managed to maintain single goal leads until the final whistle. Last game Luton played away to Tranmere in a top clash. Tranmere went ahead after a controversial penalty decision in first half. Luton’s reserve keeper, Dino Seremet, saved the penalty twice since the referee decided that the it should be retaken. However, he could not prevent Tranmere to score from the rebound. The game ended 1-1 after Luton equalising with 15 minutes remaining. The result must be considered quite fair. Worth mentioning is that Luton’s top scorer Steve Howard was missing against Tranmere due to suspension. He will start tonight. Luton still has their first goalkeeper Marlon Beresford (10 apps) out with injury but since Dino Seremet (1(1) apps) is doing very well as his replacement, this should be no major set back.
Ninth placed Hartlepool has started the new season as a good home side but as a less impressing away side. From four away games they have only managed one win; the three remaining games has been losses. Last year Hartlepool built their success on a solid central defence, this year they have not managed to repeat that way of playing. In the three last away games they have let in an average of 3,33 goals per game and that is weak, especially when the opponents were MK Dons, Oldham and Swindon. At home things have been different but this does not help up the problems on the road. Worth to mention is that this league is dominated by many strong home teams, and it is common that teams have match statistics similar to Hartlepool. Last game Hartlepool played at home against newcomer Hull. The game ended with a 2-0 victory for the home side that never threatened by an uninspired Hull side. Hartlepool has to do without suspended midfielder Anthony Sweeney (10(0) apps, 1 goal) tonight. Unavailable are also long term absentees midfielder Jack Ross (7(0) apps), defender Hugh Robertson (5(0) apps, 2 goals) and midfielder Darrell Clarke (0(0) apps).
Recent league games for home team
|
2004-10-02 |
Tranmere-Luton |
1-1 |
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2004-09-25 |
Luton-Peterborough |
2-1 |
|
2004-09-18 |
Stockport-Luton |
1-3 |
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2004-09-11 |
Luton-Chesterfield |
1-0 |
|
2004-09-04 |
Sheffield W-Luton |
0-0 |
Recent league games for away team
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2004-09-28 |
Hartlepool-Hull |
2-0 |
|
2004-09-19 |
MK Dons-Hartlepool |
4-2 |
|
2004-09-11 |
Hartlepool-Torquay |
4-1 |
|
2004-09-05 |
Oldham-Hartlepool |
3-2 |
|
2004-08-28 |
Hartlepool-Barnsley |
1-1 |
Home table
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Luton |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
7-2 |
15 |
Away table
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Hartlepool |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
7-12 |
3 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 041008
