Can Luton Escape Premier League Relegation Fight?
Luton lost three in a row before bouncing back with a 1-0 win vs. Newcastle and a 3-2 win vs. Sheffield United, with the Blades taking the lead only to score two late own goals in a vital relegation six-pointer. Luton found themselves three goals down only to score twice in the final quarter-hour to force a nervy finale in a 3-2 loss to Chelsea, before drawing 0-0 to Bolton in the FA Cup.
If you’re planning to bet on English soccer, betting on the relegation battle in the Premier League and Burnley’s upcoming match vs. Sheffield United is a no-brainer.
One and Done?
We are on track to see all three promoted sides go straight back down for the first time in 26 years, with Sheffield United sitting bottom of the table, two points behind Burnley, six behind Luton, who have a game in hand, and seven behind Everton. However, it is certainly becoming an increasingly crowded scrap at the bottom and a more tantalizing option for Premier League betting fans.
Brentford are in crisis mode for the first time in their Premier League journey, losing seven of their last eight matches in the league, opening December with a 3-1 win vs. Luton before falling to five straight defeats, conceding two or more goals in all but one – a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United. After closing out the year with a 3-1 defeat to Palace, Brentford drew 1-1 in the FA Cup vs. Wolves despite playing with an extra man for 90 minutes following Joao Gomes’ sending-off.
It’s little wonder that the sportsbooks are starting to cast doubt on Thomas Frank’s side, who are +800 to suffer relegation, ahead of Crystal Palace (+1200) and behind Nottingham Forest (+400), Luton (-350), Burnley (-450) and Sheffield United (-2500).
Can Bournemouth Continue Impressive Form?
Despite guiding Bournemouth to safety with time to spare in their return to the Premier League, Gary O’Neil was sacked after eight months at the helm, with Andoni Iraola taking charge of the club. The Spaniard suffered a shaky start to life in the Premier League with the Cherries, who found themselves in the relegation zone after taking six points from 11 matches, kicking off November with a 6-1 defeat at Manchester City.
