Luton - Oldham, English Division 2
2004-04-03 16.00 CET
Pick: Luton
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,67
Final reason for bet
· Luton is a good home team.
· Luton has performed really well lately when facing the top teams.
· Relegation battlers Oldham is very inconsistent.
· Oldham has some players missing.
General comment about the game
Eighth placed Luton will take on 17th placed Oldham at home on Kenilworth Road on Saturday. Luton is chasing the playoff and as it seems they have a real good chance of making it. It would be a very good achievement considering the fact that they are under administration. However, both the manager and the players have shown great character and confidence during the last months and that has reflected in good performances on the pitch. During the last couple of weeks they have had some very tough games when playing against top teams Plymouth and QPR and also fellow playoff chasers Port Vale. They have managed to grab two points from these matches and that is quite good since two of them have been on the road. Last weekend they travelled to face second placed QPR in a match that ended 1-1. Luton was unlucky in the first half since they got three players injured and therefore had to re-organise the team. QPR took the lead but Luton managed to chase back and equalise. Manager Mike Newell was very pleased with the performance and paid tribute to the side’s determination and desire to get something from the game. Even QPR’s manager thought that Luton deserved the point. Luton’s last home game was against table toppers Plymouth in a match that ended in a dramatic way when Plymouth scored the equaliser in the dying minutes. Also in this game Luton had to re-organise a bit since they got midfielder Kevin Nicholls sent off in the beginning of the second half. Luton once again fought hard and should have won the game but was very unlucky in the end. Both manager Newell and the players were gutted and could not believe that they had not won the game. Mixed fortunes for Luton on the injury and suspension front ahead of the clash on Saturday. Midfielder Kevin Nicholls (15 apps, 2 goals) is suspended following his sending off against Plymouth. However, defender Sol Davis (25(2) apps) who has been absent for the last two games returns from suspension. On the positive side is that first team regulars striker Steve Howard (26 apps, 8 goals) and defender Chris Coyne (35 apps, 2 goals) who missed the QPR game seems to fit and will be available on Saturday. More positive news is that top scorer Adrian Forbes (17(1) apps, 9 goals) and defender Kevin Foley (22(1) apps, 1 goal) both came on as substitutes in the QPR game. Both have been sidelined with long term injuries but is now back in contention. However, they lack match fitness. On the negative side is that all three players that got injured in the QPR game will miss Saturday’s game; new signing Paul Underwood and midfielders Paul Hughes (20(2) apps, 1 goal) and Peter Holmes (11(5) apps, 3 goals). Also injured midfielder Matthew Spring (24 apps, 1 goal) will miss out once again.
Oldham is involved in the relegation battle. Currently they reside on 17th spot two points clear of the drop zone. They also have the advantage of one match less played than the other teams involved. Lately they have mixed good and bad results. Two weeks ago they collected a chock win when playing away against promotion hopefuls Bristol City. This was new manager Brain Talbot first win and he was obviously very happy after the game. He thought they made a first class performance, and as the match turned out they did. However, we must bear in mind that Bristol City is in a down period at the moment and in that game they played very disappointing. Unfortunately for Oldham they could not put up a likewise performance last weekend when playing at home against bottom of the table Wycombe. The hosts display was very disappointing even if they had most of the possession and in the end the visitors scored the winner and set the final result to 2-3. Oldham will miss striker Calvin Zola (21(4) apps, 5 goals) on Saturday since he is suspended. Defender David Beharall (7 apps, 2 goals) will miss out once again after a season with a succession of injuries. Also midfielder Danny Boshell (16(6) apps, 0 goals) and striker Chris Killen (7(6), 0 goals) will miss out through injuries. However, they will get back defender Danny Hill (24(2) apps, 1 goal) who has been sidelined since beginning of February. Also new signings striker Dean Crowe and midfielder Mark Bonner will be in contention.
Luton is fighting for a playoff spot. They have shown in recent matches that they can compete against all teams in this division. On Saturday they will play against relegation battlers Oldham and anything but a victory will be a real disappointment. This is the type of matches you will have to win if you should be able to grab a playoff spot. And we believe that Luton will do that despite the fact that they have some players out. Their fighting spirit and desire to win will together with home advantage be the difference on Saturday. 3% stake on a home victory is suggested.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-03-27 |
QPR-Luton |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-20 |
Luton-Plymouth |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-16 |
Port Vale-Luton |
1-0 |
|
2004-03-13 |
Luton-Blackpool |
3-2 |
|
2004-03-06 |
Barnsley-Luton |
0-0 |
Recent games for away team
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2004-03-27 |
Oldham-Wycombe |
2-3 |
|
2004-03-20 |
Bristol City-Oldham |
0-2 |
|
2004-03-16 |
Oldham-Barnsley |
1-1 |
|
2004-03-13 |
Oldham-Colchester |
0-0 |
|
2004-03-06 |
QPR-Oldham |
1-1 |
Home table
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Luton |
18 |
12 |
4 |
2 |
36-18 |
40 |
Away table
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Oldham |
19 |
2 |
10 |
7 |
24-31 |
16 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 040402
