Luton Town vs Preston North End
20 June 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick 2-1 Home Win
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 11/1 odds taken 2100 GMT, Thursday 18 June
Alex Neil’s Preston North End get their Premier League promotion bid back underway with a trip to Kenilworth Road to play Nathan Jones’ Luton Town in the EFL Championship this Saturday afternoon. As expected, the Lilywhites are the bookies’ favourites in this one. Can the Hatters cause an upset, or will North End pick up a precious three points on the road?
Table of Contents
Luton Town Preview – Can the Hatters shock Preston at Kenilworth Road?
After gaining promotion from EFL League One as champions last term, life in the Championship has been tough going for Luton Town thus far. With nine matches left to play, the Hatters are second from bottom with 35 points to their name. Luton have won ten, drawn five and lost 22, with no team suffering more defeats in England’s second tier.
Nathan Jones rejoined the club after an unsuccessful spell at Stoke City. Jones replaced Graeme Jones, who left by mutual consent during lockdown. Nathan Jones was very popular during his first spell at Kenilworth Road, but keeping Town in the second tier will take some doing.
Luton have shown plenty of fighting spirit in recent games, though, losing just one of six. During that run, they have beaten Sheffield Wednesday, Middlesbrough and Brentford. However, they are still six points away from safety.
Luton have the worst away record in the division, but they have picked up seven wins at home, seeing off the likes of Bristol City, Derby County and Brentford. Can they add Preston to that list this weekend?
Preston North End Preview – Out-of-form Lilywhites to fall to another defeat?
On the whole, Preston North End have had an excellent season in the Championship. Having said that, the enforced break came at just the right time for Alex Neil’s boys, who have lost four of their last five. After going six games undefeated (four wins, two draws), North End have accumulated just three points from the last 15 available.
Preston have suffered three consecutive losses to West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, while they have not won on the road since a 2-0 victory at Stoke City on February 12th.
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Despite their wobbly form, Neil’s side are clinging on to the final play-off spot. Things have tightened up, though, with Preston now only three points above 11th-placed Swansea City. The Lilywhites could really do with maximum points at Kenilworth Road at the weekend.
Luton Town vs Preston North End Betting Advice
After three defeats on the spin, Preston will be desperate to get their promotion bid back on track. However, they are coming up against a Luton side who are in decent form and fighting for their Championship lives. This could be a tough one for Neil’s troops.
Key Facts – Luton Town vs Preston North End Betting Tip
- Luton have won three of six, with two of those victories coming at home
- Preston have lost four of their previous five
- The Hatters beat Preston 2-0 when they last met at Kenilworth Road back in 2006
In the reverse fixture, Preston edged a tight match at Deepdale in December, with Jayden Stockley’s late goal giving North End a 2-1 win. I fancy the tables to turn on Saturday – take a punt on Luton to seal a crucial 2-1 home win, which is available at 11/1.
The best betting odds for Luton Town vs Preston North End
Luton Town to win: 12/5 at Bet365
Draw: 23/10 at Bet365
Preston North End to win: 23/20 at Bet365
