Middlesbrough vs Luton predictions: Carrick’s Boro to show their class
- Luton have lost 10 of their last 12 away league games
- Middlesbrough have won their last three home fixtures against Luton
- Recommended bet: Middlesbrough to win
Middlesbrough continue to feature at the top of the Championship’s expected goals and shot statistics but they need to find a bit more consistency in terms of getting results.
Boro have managed back-to-back league wins on just one occasion this season, although they have an opportunity to complete a six-point week by beating struggling Luton after Tuesday’s superb 4-1 success away to QPR.
Michael Carrick’s side showed a clinical edge against the Hoops but they sit eighth in the table and are under pressure to make further progress.
Luton had hoped to feature in the upper echelons of the table following relegation from the top flight, but they are down in 19th after taking their time to acclimatise to the second tier again, despite their 1-0 midweek win at home to Cardiff.
Team news
Hayden Hackney is available for Boro after serving a one-game suspension but Darragh Lenihan (ankle), Lukas Engel (stomach), Alex Gilbert (knee), Tom Smith and Alex Bangura (both Achilles) are unavailable.
Dan Barlaser and Emmanuel Latte Lath came off the bench to score in the 4-1 win at QPR and will be pushing for places in the starting XI.
Luton are sweating on the availability of Alfie Doughty, who suffered a knock in the closing stages of the midweek win over Cardiff.
Victor Moses could be handed a recall but Reece Burke (groin), Mads Andersen (leg) and Reuell Walters (foot) are sidelined.
The stats
Six of Middlesbrough’s last seven wins have been accompanied by clean sheets.
Four of Boro’s last five home games have featured less than three goals.
Boro have won their last two home fixtures against Luton by a 2-1 scoreline.
Luton have lost four of their last five Championship away fixtures.
The Hatters have conceded at least two goals in each of their last three away matches.
Prediction
Middlesbrough have not received full value for several of their performances this season, but they are just a point outside the play-off places and can boost their promotion hopes by defeating Luton on Teesside.
Boro had to deal with a lot of injury problems in the earlier part of the season but their squad is looking healthier and they are boosted by the return of key midfielder Hackney after his one-match suspension.
There are a few welcome selection headaches for Boro boss Michael Carrick, who saw two of his substitutes, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Dan Barlaser, score in the midweek 4-1 win at QPR.
However, the busy schedule may be more of an issue for Luton, who expended a lot of energy in Wednesday’s hard-fought 1-0 triumph at home to Cardiff.
Luton might not be fully recharged in time for their long trip north and appear likely to suffer an eighth league loss in an increasingly difficult campaign.
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