ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PREVIEW - EVERTON VS LUTON TOWN

English Premier

2023-09-30 - Everton vs Luton Town

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Everton v Luton Town
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 30th September 2023 - Kick Off 3pm

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Everton

The potential takeover of the club is rumbling on behind the scenes and there are some reports suggest there could be a real financial crisis at Everton Football Club if the takeover is not completed. Sean Dyche and the players have to be given a lot of credit for putting the distractions to the back of their minds and they are looking to build on what has been a strong week.

The surprising victory in West London over Brentford has pushed Everton up into 15th place in the Premier League table with 4 points on the board. One of the early quirks of the season is that Everton have lost all of their games played at Goodison Park and those points have all been earned on their travels. The Toffees have yet to score at home in the 2023/24 season, but will be expecting to change that on Saturday.

Everton have lost 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions and they have won at Brentford and Aston Villa over the last week to build some confidence. All 3 games played at Goodison Park have ended with Everton losing 0-1 to Fulham, Wolves and Arsenal and the side have lost 6 of their 7 home Premier League fixtures.

Seamus Coleman and Andre Gomes are likely to miss the next couple of League fixtures, while Dele Alli is still being given time to get through some personal issues before returning to the squad.

Luton Town

There may still be a fear that Luton Town will finish with the fewest points in the history of the Premier League, but they showed some character in earning the first League point of the season at home against Wolves last Saturday. Rob Edwards and the board are realists in terms of what Luton Town can achieve this season, but they can turn the general narrative around the club with a couple of big League fixtures to come.

Some of the confidence from the first point in Premier League history will have been erased from Luton Town's disappointing 1-0 loss at Exeter City in the League Cup Third Round. The Hatters can make that up to the fans by improving the 0-0-3 away record in the Premier League having scored 1 goal, but conceded 8 in those matches.

Luton Town beat Gillingham in the League Cup Second Round, but they have not won any of 4 games played in all competitions since then and have lost 3 of those matches too. Going back to last season's Play Off Semi Final First Leg, Luton Town have lost 5 away games in a row in all competitions.

Thomas Lockyer and Ross Barkley are hoping to be available for selection. Albert-Mboyo Sambi Lokonga picked up an injury that is likely to keep him out until after the November international break.

Head to Head

Everton have beaten Luton Town a couple of times in the League Cup since last meeting them in the top flight in the 1991/92 season.

The last League meeting at Goodison Park ended 1-1, but Everton have won 4 of the last 5 when hosting Luton Town, including most recently in October 2006 in the League Cup.

Prediction

An important early season fixture at the bottom of the Premier League may show the fan bases of Everton and Luton Town what to expect in the weeks and months ahead.

There is a bit more bullishness about Everton after back to back wins at Brentford and Aston Villa and Sean Dyche will feel his team have deserved a lot more points than they have on the board. The underlying numbers suggest the same and Everton have been creating more chances than some might expect.

After impressing in their last couple of games and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin back amongst the goals, Everton certainly look capable of a first goal at Goodison Park this weekend. They are facing a Luton Town defence that has struggled at a level above the Championship and Everton are playing well enough to break them down here.

One of the strengths for Luton Town this season is going to be set pieces, but they are going to be dealing with a big Everton team who will be well organised from those situations under Sean Dyche. It should mean the momentum is with Everton, although you cannot ignore the poor run of form that the team have put together at Goodison Park.

6 losses in 7 home League games will mean there is some confidence issues to break down for the home team. This could manifest if Everton struggle to get in front early in this one, especially with a home crowd that can become restless, but the feeling is that Everton have found some confidence from recent performances.

Having Dominic Calvert-Lewin back amongst the goals is a huge help and the expectation is that Everton will have too much for a Luton Town team that looks to have reached the Premier League a little too quickly. The Hatters will be keen to show they can compete at this level, but Everton's attacking players may have a bit too much for them and the home team can win a game featuring at least two goals.

The Pick :

Everton 2-1 Luton Town

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Everton to Win & Over 1 Total Goal (Bet Builder) at 1.90 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)