Southend vs Luton Town Predictions

After a very disappointing defeat on home soil, Southend needed to bounce back last weekend and bounce back is exactly what they did. Against a Bradford, who’ve improved considerably over the last few months, the Shrimpers quickly found their stride at Valley Parade. Having scored four goals and conceded none on that occasion, Chris Powell’s men will fancy themselves to go well now back on home soil.

Southend were rampant last weekend against Bradford and if they play like that at home to Luton on Saturday, then there’s no reason why the Shrimpers can’t get very competitive. However, rarely do Chris Powell’s men follow one good performance with another. Consistency has been an issue for the Essex club this season, as we can see from their last ten games. During that time, the Shrimpers have won five and lost five, though they’ve failed to secure back-to-back victories.

Even in front of their own fans, the Shrimpers have struggled to perform consistently. On New Year’s Day they got the better of Gillingham, winning by two goals to nil, though next time out at Roots Hall, they lost 2-3 against lowly Plymouth. In general, Southend have done a reasonable job of creating more than their opponents, and while an average expected goals difference of +0.43 is respectable, it’s not overly impressive.

Fortunately for the hosts, Luton are not quite as imposing away from home as they are at Kenilworth Road. That said, they’re still a very tough side to face. The Hatters, who’re still under the temporary stewardship of Mick Harford following the departure of Nathan Jones, are now unbeaten in seven on the road, four of which they’ve won.

Since Luton have emerged as chief promotion contenders this season, there’ll be no shortage of punters supporting them at around eve-money on Saturday afternoon, though it’s hard to feel that such a price represents any value. Southend are very hit and miss, but they’re capable of tussling with even the best sides in this division if on a going day, while Luton have avoided victory away against the likes of Walsall in recent times, so they’re not infallible.

At the prices, ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ makes plenty of appeal. Southend are no strangers to making things happen offensively at home, as they’ve scored ten in their last five at Roots Hall, while Luton are just about the best attacking side in the division. With the hosts averaging 1.56 expected goals for at home and with Luton averaging 1.6 on the road, backing the goals to flow is the way go ahead of this clash.