James Buttler looks ahead to Friday evening's Championship match between the Hatters and the Baggies and finds the very best bets.
This isn't quite a must win match, but it's getting there!
The home team seeking a return to form
Luton have lost two on the bounce and are remarkably down in 22nd after this pundit tipped them to win the league and bounce straight back to the Premier League.
Friday evening’s match at Kenilworth Road is important for manager Rob Edwards who has seen his team suffer a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland and then losing 3-2 at Coventry City last Saturday after leading 2-0 after an hour of the match. Luton are eight points outside of the playoff places, so the season isn’t dead, but the resurgence needs to start soon.
The away team seeking a return to form
West Brom are without a win in six league matches and sit in fifth after a strong start to the season. After losing in the playoff semi-finals they will be aiming for a strong bid for the top tier. The Baggies are tough to beat, but the wins have dried up, with four draws on the bounce resulting in them treading water in the promotion race.
So, with just one goal scored in their last five matches and only four points from the 15 available, West Brom are another side keen to re-find their mojo. Their defence is the bright spot in that period with just two conceded and only three goals in total, a trend that doesn’t make backing overs on the goals on Friday particularly enticing.
The Baggies to boing boing back
Luton saw Tom Holmes sent off and Alfie Doughty suspended after a fifth yellow card in their defeat in Coventry. With the Hatters’ defence already weakened, this is not good news and may well allow West Brom to re-establish their goal scoring credentials. The 15/8 on Carlos Corberan's away side looks like a good starting point.
Unders and one goal could take it
If we’re on the Baggies, Joshua Maja is the most likely scorer, with seven goals this season. This is a fascinating encounter, but huge bundles of goals are unlikely. Under 2.5 match goals is 4/5 and Maja to find the net is 5/2. A sneaky little tickle on a 1-0 away win for the Baggies is 17/2 with Betfair.
James’ Championship Tips
West Brom to win at 15/8
Under 2.5 match goals at 4/5
Josh Maja to score anytime at 5/2
That treble is 18/1 with Bet365
And. West Brom to win 1-0 at 17/2.
Good luck and please gamble responsibly.