Home game debut for the sensational promoted team
Longer than all other English first division teams, Luton Town had to be patient. On Friday evening, the time has finally come for the sensational promoted team to play its first home game in the Premier League. Guests at the at least somewhat modernized Kenilworth Road are the reigning Conference League winners, who have made an excellent start to the new season and would like to take over the top of the table for one night.
If the Luton vs. West Ham clash proves to be an away win, the Hammers would climb past Manchester City into first place until at least Saturday. For the first time since 1983, the Londoners would again lead the standings in the English top flight after more than three matches. Before that, however, coach David Moyes’ side must live up to their own role as favorites.
The chances of that are pretty good, though, partly due to the fact that the Hatters have started their Premier League adventure with two clear defeats. So far, the Orange-Dunkelblauen have not yet provided compelling proof of their first league suitability.
It would therefore be quite a surprise if a prediction on the double chance 1X would pay off in the duel Luton vs. West Ham. But perhaps the home advantage in the charming jewel box at Maple Road will unleash unimagined energies for the crass underdogs…
Luton – statistics & current form
It is undoubtedly one of the most exciting stories in the motherland of soccer in recent years. In 2013/14, small club Luton Town was still a fixture in the fifth-tier National League before the fairy tale took its course. Ten years and four promotions later, the hatters have arrived in the Premier League. For the first time since 1992, the club from the university town north of London can now compete with the best teams in the country.
Unsurprisingly, however, the Orange-Darkblue team is regarded as a severe underdog and, consequently, as the first candidate for relegation. The total market value of the squad is a good 70 million euros, and only slightly more than 22 million euros were spent on new players in the summer. Coach Rob Edwards, who has been at the helm of the team since November 2022, therefore has a great deal of faith in the team that beat Coventry City on penalties in the decisive promotion playoffs.
Luton are currently still paying a lot of dues
The fact that the Championship and the Premier League are two different pairs of shoes, however, became more than clear in the first two matchdays. Despite pronounced promotion euphoria, the “Hatters” lost first Brighton with 1:4 and finally Chelsea with 0:3 in the previous week. On Friday night, the next defeat threatens. If the difference is again three or more goals, Luton will be only the second English first division club to start a season with three such clear defeats.
The fact that Edwards’ team is finally playing its first home game is the main reason to hope for a first sense of achievement. The planned home game on the second matchday against Burnley had to be postponed due to unfinished rebuilding work. However, it would be presumptuous to describe the promoted team as a typical home power.
Even in the second division, LTFC recorded just ten wins (nine draws, four defeats) in 23 matches in front of their own fans. During the week, the relegation candidates also had an extremely difficult time in the second round of the EFL Cup at home against fourth-division side Gillingham, only narrowly winning 3:2. If the defense continues to be as vulnerable as it has been in the first competitive games of the new season, the odds on at least three goals in the match between Luton and West Ham should also go through.
Predicted Luton lineup:
Luton (Expected lineup) 3-5-2
West Ham – statistics & current form
West Ham United are preparing to surprise in a positive way this season. After the Londoners only finished 14th in the final standings last season and at times even had to fear for staying in the league, the reigning Conference League winners and 2022 Europa League semifinalists have extremely ambitious plans. Despite the painful loss of Declan Rice, they are aiming for the top half of the table, or at best even the top seven.
To underline this ambitious goal, the Hammers recently made another major move on the transfer market. Edson Alvarez and Mohammed Kudus were released by Ajax Amsterdam, ex-Stuttgart player Mavropanos is expected to stabilize the defense, and standard-setting specialist James Ward-Prowse was acquired from Southampton in another transfer coup. Coach Moyes’ squad thus reads extremely promising both at the top and across the board.
Will the Hammers continue to add to their points tally?
The fact that the individual cogs are obviously already meshing well and the newcomers have integrated quickly is evidenced by the first three match days, in which WHUFC picked up a proud seven points out of a possible nine. A 1-1 draw at the start against Bournemouth was followed by two outstanding victories at home against Chelsea (3-1) and at Brighton (3-1).
The away triumph at the Seagulls, in particular, should come with a huge boost to confidence, especially as Antonio, Bowen and Co. displayed remarkable efficiency and struck in the style of a top team at the right moments.
The aforementioned Jarrod Bowen, by the way, has scored in both of his Irons’ PL visits so far and is keen to continue his run on Friday night. For a goal success of the winger are offered between Luton and West Ham appealing odds of 3.50 in the Bet365 app. Those who instead believe in another handicap triumph for the current Premier League runners-up will also find quotes above 3.00 for that.
Predicted West Ham lineup:
West Ham (Expected lineup) 4-2-3-1
Luton – West Ham Direct comparison / H2H balance
For the first time since 1994, the two clubs face each other in a competitive match. By the way, the Hammers remained without a win in the last four direct duels. However, many of the players who will be on the pitch on Friday night weren’t even born then. From that point of view, the head-to-head has no relevant influence on the Luton vs West Ham prediction.
Luton vs West Ham prediction
Luton Town’s delightful stadium has been covered extensively in recent weeks and months. The away block is primarily accessed via a housing estate, there is no parking directly at the stadium, plus Kenilworth Road has become known as a seat-only stadium. After more than 30 years, first division soccer returns to the Hatters’ home ground on Friday night.
However, the omens could be better, as the promoted team has come out of the starting blocks anything but well with two heavy defeats and already seven conceded goals. It almost seems as if the clear quality disadvantages are difficult to compensate. Unsurprisingly, the betting odds on an away win between Luton and West Ham are significantly lower.
We can identify with this assessment, especially since the Londoners already have seven points on the account, recently kept the upper hand against two complicated opponents with 3:1 each and, moreover, have a squad that now definitely meets the highest standards in the English top flight.
