Man Utd vs Luton Prediction: Value in backing the Hatters

Manchester United return to action in the Premier League with a home match against Luton Town, after a last-gasp Bruno Fernandes winner helped them beat Fulham.

However, in midweek they were beaten by Copenhagen to leave their chances of qualification in the Champions League hanging by a thread. Below we preview the match and give our selections. 

Team News

Raphael Varane is back fit, and could well start here after he was forced to replace Jonny Evans in Copenhagen. Luke Shaw, Sergio Reguilon and Tyrell Malacia all remain out so Diogo Dalot is expected to continue at left-back, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka starting at right-back. Marcus Rashford was sent off in midweek, but his ban does not extend to Premier League competition.

For Luton, Mads Anderson, Dan Potts, Reece Burke and Sambi Lokonga remain out, but there is an outside chance that Amari’i Bell could return to the squad. 

Match Odds

Manchester United are 3/10 to win this game, while Luton Town are 8/1 outsiders. A draw can be backed at 9/2 while BTTS is 4/5 and over 2.5 goals is 1/2.

Draw or Luton Town @ 9/4

Manchester United are impossible to back at this moment in time. I know on paper they should win this game, at home against Luton, but at 3/10 the price is far too short. It also doesn’t reflect the stinking form United are in. They’ve now lost nine games this season and Erik ten Hag is coming under some serious pressure. 

Nothing less than a win against Luton will be good enough and ahead of the international break, another failure to win could spell the end of his time in charge. I can’t back United to win, and Luton proved last weekend they can go toe-to-toe with the elite teams in the division, as they drew 1-1 with Liverpool.

Most importantly however, they are an organised team with a good team ethic. That will take them a long way at Old Trafford and the 9/4 on them to avoid defeat is worth backing.

Half-time score 0-0 @ 5/2

If Luton are going to get something out of this game, they need to get to half-time unscathed. Meanwhile, the Champions League midweek match aside, Man Utd have been slow starters. The first half against Fulham was nothing short of turgid as they went in at 0-0, while they have also failed to score in the first half of their last four matches at Old Trafford.

Luton are going to be resolute and tough to break down, as we have seen in recent weeks. For the first half, they will want to prioritise that, before trying to catch United out with a set piece in the second half.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.