Luton - Bournemouth, English Division 2
2004-03-02 20.45 CET
Pick: Luton
Stake: 3%
Final reason for bet
· Luton is a very good home side.
· Luton is in good form having moved up to a playoff spot.
· Bournemouth usually underperforms when playing away.
· No new injuries in either team.
General comment about the game
Tonight 5th placed Luton will be visited by 8th placed Bournemouth in the English division two. Luton has finally moved up to a playoff spot as we previously has predicted. Their recent good run has landed the division two Manager of the Month award for February to the man in charge Mike Newell. During the month they have collected thirteen points from 18 possible; three straight wins at home and 1/1/1 playing away. Luton is one of the strongest teams in the league playing at home and has so been during the whole season. In the later part of the season they have also started to collect points on the road which is one of the factors that have put them in a playoff spot. In last game when they played away to struggling Peterborough they were lucky to get away with three points. Luton scored two good goals; the first game from a blasting shot from Steve Howard outside the penalty area that hit high up in the roof of the net and the second one was a strong header by Ahmet Brkovic from a well advised free kick. However, Peterborough played well and created chances that easily could have earned them a point. Also, Luton manager Mike Newell thought that Peterborough performed well and he can not understand why Peterborough has taken so few points. However, Luton strength is their home record. They feel much more comfortable and they are certainly more composed playing at home than away. No new injuries or suspensions concerning the squad. On the positive side is that former injured midfielder Paul Hughes (14 apps, 1 goal) is nearing full match fitness. He was in the starting eleven in last game for the first time since he got injured in October. Also defender Alan Neilson (7 apps, 1 goal) and midfielder Lee Mansell (13 apps, 2 goals) will be available after their absence. On the negative side is that top scorer Adrian Forbes (17 apps, 9 goals), defender Kevin Foley (22 apps, 1 goal) and midfielder Matthew Spring (24 apps, 1 goal) still is sidelined with their respective injuries.
Bournemouth is also in a good run – at home. In their latest game they won against Oldham making it five straight victories at home. When looking at the chances during the game, the teams had one half each. Oldham began best and once again the rescuer was the Bournemouth goalkeeper Neil Moss who made some vital saves. However in the second half, Bournemouth took over and showed what a great home side they are. The goal came from a good header from James Hayter. Despite their recent good result we do not fear them in Luton. We have said it before; Bournemouth is a totally different side playing at home than away. At home they are a threat for everyone and the reverse is truth when playing on the road. Their away record is quite bad for a promotion candidate; they have lost half of their 16 matches and won only three. Last win was back in mid October and since then they have only managed to grab four more points from nine attempts. Surprisingly, they managed to draw against table toppers Plymouth three weeks ago but that point was not well deserved since Plymouth was very unlucky on several occasions. Last away game was a clear defeat against a Brighton side that very efficient took advantage from some terrible defending and won by 3-0. Bournemouth has an almost fully fit squad and is able to compete with the same team as they have done in recent matches.
This is a game between two teams that has moved up the table lately and both are now in the promotion race. However, we believe that home advantage will be the crucial factor here. We can not see strong home team Luton drop any points in this game against a team struggling on the road. Medium stake 3% is suggested.
2004-03-02 20.45 CET
Pick: Luton
Stake: 3%
Final reason for bet
· Luton is a very good home side.
· Luton is in good form having moved up to a playoff spot.
· Bournemouth usually underperforms when playing away.
· No new injuries in either team.
General comment about the game
Tonight 5th placed Luton will be visited by 8th placed Bournemouth in the English division two. Luton has finally moved up to a playoff spot as we previously has predicted. Their recent good run has landed the division two Manager of the Month award for February to the man in charge Mike Newell. During the month they have collected thirteen points from 18 possible; three straight wins at home and 1/1/1 playing away. Luton is one of the strongest teams in the league playing at home and has so been during the whole season. In the later part of the season they have also started to collect points on the road which is one of the factors that have put them in a playoff spot. In last game when they played away to struggling Peterborough they were lucky to get away with three points. Luton scored two good goals; the first game from a blasting shot from Steve Howard outside the penalty area that hit high up in the roof of the net and the second one was a strong header by Ahmet Brkovic from a well advised free kick. However, Peterborough played well and created chances that easily could have earned them a point. Also, Luton manager Mike Newell thought that Peterborough performed well and he can not understand why Peterborough has taken so few points. However, Luton strength is their home record. They feel much more comfortable and they are certainly more composed playing at home than away. No new injuries or suspensions concerning the squad. On the positive side is that former injured midfielder Paul Hughes (14 apps, 1 goal) is nearing full match fitness. He was in the starting eleven in last game for the first time since he got injured in October. Also defender Alan Neilson (7 apps, 1 goal) and midfielder Lee Mansell (13 apps, 2 goals) will be available after their absence. On the negative side is that top scorer Adrian Forbes (17 apps, 9 goals), defender Kevin Foley (22 apps, 1 goal) and midfielder Matthew Spring (24 apps, 1 goal) still is sidelined with their respective injuries.
Bournemouth is also in a good run – at home. In their latest game they won against Oldham making it five straight victories at home. When looking at the chances during the game, the teams had one half each. Oldham began best and once again the rescuer was the Bournemouth goalkeeper Neil Moss who made some vital saves. However in the second half, Bournemouth took over and showed what a great home side they are. The goal came from a good header from James Hayter. Despite their recent good result we do not fear them in Luton. We have said it before; Bournemouth is a totally different side playing at home than away. At home they are a threat for everyone and the reverse is truth when playing on the road. Their away record is quite bad for a promotion candidate; they have lost half of their 16 matches and won only three. Last win was back in mid October and since then they have only managed to grab four more points from nine attempts. Surprisingly, they managed to draw against table toppers Plymouth three weeks ago but that point was not well deserved since Plymouth was very unlucky on several occasions. Last away game was a clear defeat against a Brighton side that very efficient took advantage from some terrible defending and won by 3-0. Bournemouth has an almost fully fit squad and is able to compete with the same team as they have done in recent matches.
This is a game between two teams that has moved up the table lately and both are now in the promotion race. However, we believe that home advantage will be the crucial factor here. We can not see strong home team Luton drop any points in this game against a team struggling on the road. Medium stake 3% is suggested.
