Luton Town - Nottingham Forest predictions and free betting tips [16/03/2024]

On Saturday, 16th March, as part of the 29th round of the Premier League, Luton Town will host Nottingham Forest. In the middle of the week, Rob Edwards' charges lost to Bournemouth in a dramatic shootout (4:3), while Nuno Espirito's squad suffered a defeat away against Brighton last weekend – 1:0.

Luton Town

Having returned to the elite division last summer, Luton Town currently sits in 18th place in the Premier League table, just three points above the bottom. After failing to win any of their last 7 matches, the Hatters have found themselves in a difficult situation: following 4 consecutive defeats the hosts managed to scrape a point against Crystal Palace last weekend (1:1). Unfortunately, this week they suffered another defeat in Bournemouth, having had a catastrophically poor second half at the Vitality stadium (4:3). The Blues went into half-time with a three-goal lead thanks to Ross Barkley, Chiedozie Ogbene and Tahith Chong's strikes, but the Cherries succeeded in pulling off a comeback last realised in the Premier League 20 years ago: precise strikes from Dominic Solanke, Ilya Zabarnyi and a double from Antoine Semenyo allowed the southerners to create ecstasy among their home crowd.

The team currently boasts a run of 16 straight matches with a goal in the elite division – the best record for a league newbie since Newcastle United in the 1993-94 campaign. This Saturday, several key Luton players will be missing due to injuries, including forward Adebayo, Andersen and Bell (defenders), Lokonga and Nakamba (midfielders), as well as Potts, Johnson and Jacob Brown. Captain Lockyer is also unavailable after suffering a cardiac arrest in mid-December and centre back Osho's participation remains doubtful. Barkley, Ogbene and Chong, all who netted last week, are expected to start – with the latter two anticipated to support Morris upfront (8 goals and 4 assists).

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest is also in a survival battle and presently sits in 17th place in the Premier League table, leading the upcoming competitor by 3 points. Nuno Espirito's team has been in crisis in recent weeks: only one victory has been harvested from their last eight matches, along with one draw and six defeats. Following a win over West Ham (2:0), the 'iron workers' succumbed to Aston Villa (4:2), Liverpool (0:1) and Brighton last weekend (1:0). An own goal by Andrew Omobamidele decided the outcome of the Amex game in favour of the 'seagulls', leaving Santo livid after Jakub Moder escaped a red card for a rough tackle on Neco Williams.

The red-and-whites are in danger of becoming goalless in three successive Premier League matches for the first time since 1999; moreover, they have struggled against Premier League newcomers, only clinching a victory in one of their last 18 encounters. Nottingham Forest's left back, Nuno Tavares, will once again be forced to sit out this weekend's match due to injury. Aina's participation and that of winter newcomer Reyna is also in doubt, with the latter having minimal game time since his arrival. On a positive note: Chris Wood (8 goals) is back in action, winning the competition in attack against Nigerian Avoniyi (6 goals and 3 assists). Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi were both on the bench last match against Brighton, but now both are expected to push Divock Origi for a starting spot. Omobamidele and Murillo will shore up the Forest's central defence, with Sels in goal.

Head-to-Head

In October, a 2:2 draw with Luton at City Ground extended the Red and Whites' winless run against the Hatters to five matches.

Match prediction: Luton Town - Nottingham Forest

No matter how poorly Forest have been attacking lately, a well-rested Avoniyi, Elanga, and Hudson-Odoi should be able to break through the Hatters' problematic defence. Luton, following a relatively successful autumn run, are now in decline, and an overflowing infirmary is certainly not conducive to the Premier League newbie's performance enhancement. The visitors are a far more experienced team, so my wager is on their victory with a 0 handicap.