LUTON TOWN v MIDDLESBROUGH
Championship
Friday 2nd August 2019
Kickoff: 1945hrs
Pick: Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker: Marathonbet
Odds: 1.80 (odds taken at 02:43 GMT, 02 August 2019)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.50 | 3.22 | 2.91 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on August 02, 2019 at 02:43)
The curtain-raiser in tonight’s start to the new Championship season features a clash between newly promoted, Luton Town, and Middlesbrough as the betting tips continue at Kenilworth Road.
Luton Town Prediction – Can Luton get off to a good start?
Championship newcomers will play their first Championship match in 12 years after dropping down the divisions and even out of the Football League.
After a few frustrating seasons in the Conference, Luton Town’s fortunes picked up and three promotions in the last 6 seasons have resulted in The Hatters re-appearing in the second tier.
The challenge for new manager, Graeme Jones, is to keep Luton Town in the Championship this season as they desperately crave a season of consolidation.
Former manager, Nathan Jones left for Stoke City but former player and manager, Mick Harford, kept the club rolling towards automatic promotion, claiming the League One title.
The London club have enjoyed a pretty successful pre-season, having won 3 of their 4 matches played in their warm-ups.
Wins against Welwyn Garden City, Bedford Town and Portuguese outfit, Maritimo were a welcome boost ahead of this season, while we shouldn’t read too much into their 5-1 loss to Norwich City.
A game at their Kenilworth Road ground gives Luton Town the perfect opportunity to start this new Championship season off in style.
Middlesbrough Prediction – Can Middlesbrough make the play-offs?
The visitors narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs at the end of last season as they were edged out by a single point by Derby County.
Middlesbrough were often criticised by their dour and uninventive style of play under former manager, Tony Pulis, who was shown the exit door after failing to steer Boro into the play-offs.
A 6-match losing streak from mid-March to early April turned out to be the turning point in Middlesbrough’s season and ultimately denied them a top 6 finish.
Defeats to Brentford, Preston North End, Aston Villa, Norwich City, Bristol City and Swansea City placed Pulis under increasing pressure.
Despite winning 5 of their last 6 matches of last season, this wasn’t enough for Middlesbrough to claim a top six finish and Pulis was duly sacked.
His successor is an interesting appointment in former player and club legend, Jonathan Woodgate, who has no previous experience in football management.
Woodgate has promised to bring back an attacking style of play to The Riverside, but much will depend on the consistency of forwards, Assombalonga and Gestede up front.
Key-Facts – Luton Town v Middlesbrough
- Luton Town were promoted last season after winning the League One title
- Middlesbrough have failed to beat Luton Town in each of their last 3 visits
- This will be the first meeting between these two sides for 24 years
Betting Tips Verdict
This is an interesting match-up with two relatively inexperienced managers in Jones and Woodgate going head-to-head. Neither will want to lose this opening match of the season, so a low-scoring game could be on the cards here.
