Luton Town
- Luton have been playing some of their best soccer of the season recently, with a lot of directness, good pressing and their young wing-backs offering real thrust going forward.
- Jack Wilshere has brought a level of intensity to the play and he has certainly not strayed from the directness that has always been Luton’s hallmark.
- The pressing is intense and the speed of transition after winning the ball back is also impressive.
Blackpool
- Blackpool sit 17th in League One with 32 points from 27 games and are hovering above the relegation scrap.
- Ian Evatt has made Blackpool a more possession-based team since he arrived at Bloomfield Road, with his side playing some patient build-up soccer and structured pressing.
- They overload wings and get into the penalty area to support the lone striker, but they have not quite found the defensive solidity needed to make the transition to a team that does not need to chase the game.
- Ashley Fletcher is Blackpool’s leading scorer in front of goal, having hit double figures in the league; he remains their biggest threat, although the addition of Zac Ashworth offers a fresh option.
Head-to-Head
- Both teams have often scored in Luton’s last five matches.
- Luton have lost only once in the last over a dozen meetings against Blackpool.
Key Players
- Luton
- Gideon Kodua has been Luton’s talisman in front of goal, hitting double figures for the season by mid-January and his ability to finish off tight games will be key again here.
- However, Nahki Wells gives them some experience and an aerial threat, while he is also capable of a crucial goal off the bench.
- Blackpool
- Ashley Fletcher is Blackpool’s leading scorer in front of goal, having hit double figures in the league; he remains their biggest threat, although the addition of Zac Ashworth offers a fresh option.
- Ashworth has scored recently and has the pace to trouble defences, while Michael Obafemi can also bring energy from the bench.
Betting Insights
- Luton Town are the clear favorites here at 1.74, although there is enough in Blackpool’s game to think that they can at least make this a close game at 4.7, with the ‘Draw’ coming in at 3.5.
- Blackpool do have a counter-attacking threat, however, and they can get on the scoresheet at least, so I am going for the ‘Both Teams to Score’ option at 1.83.
Prediction
- Luton have not lost to Blackpool in several recent meetings at Kenilworth Road and I am happy to back the Hatters to win this one at 1.74.
- I think a narrow home win is the likeliest outcome and Blackpool will be good enough to make it competitive.
