Luton Town vs Birmingham City
30th July 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Home Win -1
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 12/5 odds taken 0922 GMT, Friday 29 July
Luton Town were one of the surprise packages in the EFL Championship last season, reaching the play-offs against all odds. Can they kick off the 2022-23 campaign with a win when Birmingham City visit Kenilworth Road this Saturday? The Blues, who are now managed by John Eustace, have been tipped to struggle this term. Nathan Jones’ Hatters are the bookies’ favourites in this one, and we have the latest odds and top tips.
Table of Contents
Luton Town Preview – Can the Hatters start with three points?
Nathan Jones has done a remarkable job with this Luton Town team over the years, but last season’s success topped the lot. Against the odds, the Hatters stormed their way into the Championship play-offs, finishing in sixth on 75 points.
Of course, the expectation levels have risen, but Luton are more than capable of securing a play-off berth once again. They have made a few shrewd signings over the summer, bringing in the likes of Luke Freeman, Cauley Woodrow and Alfie Doughty.
Kenilworth Road was a real fortress last season, and Jones’ boys will be looking to make home advantage count this weekend. They are the odds-on favourites, with the bookies offering just 17/20 for a home win.
Birmingham City Preview – Eustace to lose his first game?
Lee Bowyer was sacked at Birmingham City in early July, with John Eustace replacing him. Eustace, the former Watford captain, was the Republic of Ireland assistant. He was also assistant at Queens Park Rangers for four years.
Birmingham had a poor 2021-22 season, finishing way down in 21st. If Reading and Derby County had not been deducted points, it could have been a lot worse for the Blues. They picked up just 11 wins and suffered 21 defeats.
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After the sacking of Bowyer, Birmingham have certainly played it safe by bringing in Eustace. Can the 42-year-old turn their fortunes around and surprise a few this season? They are priced at 3/1 to start with an away win.
Luton Town vs Birmingham City Betting Advice
In this fixture last season, Birmingham ran out 5-0 winners in what was one of the shock results of the 2021-22 Championship campaign. City were very easy on the eye at Kenilworth Road, with Scott Hogan (2), Marc Roberts, Gary Gardner and Chuks Aneke on target in the romp.
Birmingham also picked up an easy victory over the Hatters at St Andrew’s last term. On February 12th, Juninho Bacuna, Lyle Taylor and Onel Hernandez scored in a 3-0 home success.
Key Facts – Luton Town vs Birmingham City Betting Tip
- Birmingham did the double over Luton last term, scoring eight and conceding none
- Jones took Town to the play-offs last term
- The Hatters have won just one of the last seven meetings
Birmingham have a good recent record in this fixture, but we can see Luton making home advantage count in this one. This could be a comfortable victory for the hosts, and there is good value in 12/5 for Town to win -1. We also fancy Luton to keep a clean sheet on their own patch – back Jones’ boys to win to nil at 9/4.
The best betting odds for Luton Town vs Birmingham City
Luton Town to win: 17/20 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at Bet365
Birmingham City to win: 3/1 at Bet365
