Manchester Utd vs Luton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-11-10 15:00.
The most chaotic and calamitous of seasons at Manchester United keeps finding new ways to surprise, and a breathless 4-3 defeat at Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) midweek epitomised their problems. While manager Erik ten Hag was left fuming that “so many decisions” are going against his side, he oversaw the Red Devils’ first loss after taking a two-goal lead since September 2014!
That reverse means that United have lost nine of their opening 17 matches of a season for the first time since 1973/74 – a campaign in which they were eventually relegated. That doesn’t appear to be on the cards this year, but back-to-back 3-0 losses at Old Trafford signals its fall from fortress last season to playground for visiting teams this term. Luton Town may be the perfect opposition to put that right against, as United are unbeaten in 13 meetings with newly-promoted Premier League (PL) opposition (W12, D1) – winning each of the last ten – two of which came earlier in 2023/24.
Luton will be determined not to have their name added to that list, and make the trip north full of confidence after holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road last weekend. Boss Rob Edwards was filled with “pride” at his side’s display that lifted them out of the PL relegation zone, as the Hatters avoided defeat for the second time in three outings.
A first trip to Old Trafford since September 1991 beckons, and a lot’s changed since then as a crowd of less than 50,000 took in that 5-0 loss for the Bedfordshire outfit. There’ll be far more in attendance on Saturday, and the travelling contingent ought to stay away from the history books if they’re looking for hope, as Luton have lost 18 consecutive away H2Hs, with their only such victory coming way back in September 1897 when United were called Newton Heath!
Players to watch: United forward Rasmus Højlund may be without a goal in eight PL appearances, but he’s the first player in club history to score five in his opening four UCL encounters. Unfortunately for the Dane, all five have come in defeats, and that’s a streak United academy graduate Tahith Chong will be keen to add to as he faces his former employers for the first time, fresh from opening his PL account against Liverpool on Sunday.
Hot stat: Man Utd’s return of 12 goals from 11 PL matches is their lowest at this stage of a season since 2004/05.