Bournemouth - Luton Town predictions and free betting tips [13/03/2024]

On Wednesday, 13 March, within the framework of the rescheduled 17th round of the Premier League, Bournemouth shall host Luton Town on their home turf. The meeting was halted shortly after the hour-mark with the score at 1:1 due to a cardiac arrest of a "Hatters" player, and a few days later the league's management announced that the match would be replayed.

Predicted Line-ups

Bournemouth: Neto; Smith, Mepham, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Ouattara, Kluivert, Sinisterra; Solanke.
Luton Town: Kaminski; Hashioka, Burke, Osho; Kabore, Clark, Barkley, Doughty; Ogbene, Morris, Chong.

Stadium

The clash will be hosted in Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Bournemouth

Standing 12th in the Premier League table, 11 points clear of the relegation zone, Bournemouth aims to spend the rest of the season away from the survival scrap. Yet, for several weeks now, the Cherries have been regressing: following 7 rounds without wins (3 draws and 4 defeats), the red-and-blacks triumphed 2:0 over a sinking Burnley. Last weekend, Andoni Iraola's charges failed to please their home crowd, drawing 2:2 against a crisis-ridden Sheffield United.

In general, the schedule is favourable for the hosts: after Luton, they will face Everton and Crystal Palace before meeting the Hatters again at Kenilworth Road. Meanwhile, the Cherries have been struggling at home: in 13 home matches they've accrued only 14 points (16th in the division), scored 14 goals and conceded 20. 

Luton Town

Having returned to the elite division last summer, Luton Town is understandably fighting for survival. At the moment, the team occupies the 18th place in the Premier League table, having a game in hand and trailing the 17th-placed Nottingham Forest by 3 points. From the end of December to the beginning of February, Rob Edwards' squad was in good form, steadily accumulating points. However, over the last weeks, a downturn was obvious. The visitors suffered four consecutive defeats (against Sheffield United, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Aston Villa), thereafter securing a draw against Crystal Palace last weekend (1:1), thanks to the goal from Cauley Woodrow.

Critically, Luton has known no victory for seven consecutive rounds and has conceded a dizzying 23 goals during this period, which is even more surprising considering that they didn't lose in the first six matches of 2024. Guests have also had their struggles away from home: in 13 away matches only 10 points have been accrued (16th in the division), 17 goals have been scored and 30 conceded. 

Head-to-Head

In mid-December at Vitality Stadium, the teams' head-to-head encounter was interrupted after Lockyer had to receive life-saving assistance on the pitch due to a cardiac arrest.

Match Prediction: Bournemouth vs Luton Town

If Bournemouth doesn't have any tournament motivation, Luton, on the other hand, needs to fight for every point against anyone. However, the Hatters have been in a crisis recently, failing to win for seven consecutive rounds. Plus, in 17 recent matches across all competitions, the visitors have lost with a difference of more than one goal only thrice - it's reasonable to bet on Luton's handicap of 1.5. 

Goals Prediction 

Bournemouth concedes an average of 1.5 goals per match at home, while Luton is in desperate need of points to secure survival. I predict that Luton's individual total will exceed 1 goal. 

Corners Prediction 

As paradoxical as it may sound, Luton is one of the Premier League's most generous teams in terms of corners (on average, 5.7 per game). My bet is on Luton's individual total for this component to exceed 3.5.  

Yellow Cards Prediction 

Neither of the teams is known for their rough play (only 2 yellow cards per match, on average). My bet is on fewer than 4.5 total warnings.  

Score Prediction

I predict the exact score to be 1:2 in favour of Luton.