Charlton vs Luton Predictions & Tips

Two sides who featured in League One last season meet in this weekend’s Championship card, with both desperate to avoid returning to the third tier. Both Charlton and Luton battled their way to promotion last season, but will that good work be undone by relegation?

Both sides have had their issues this term, although playoff winners Charlton are the only promoted side currently outside the bottom three. They intend to stay there, with struggling Luton the perfect mark for the Addicks to score vital points in the fight for survival.

Luton’s Travel Sickness

The visitors were able to claim a victory at Middlesbrough last weekend, but that was more of a condemnation of Boro’s form than a turnaround for the Hatters. Luton have a full season of terrible away results behind them, which points to problems here as far as we are concerned.

Luton have the league’s worst away record, as they’re still on a single-figure points total. The Hatters have been unable to produce the defensive solidity that can turn losses into draws, having lost 14 and won only three of their 17 trips so far this term. The visitors have lost 11 of their last 12 trips, so we are backing them to slip up in this one.

Valley Return for Luton

Things could get even worse for the visitors here, following a terrible record at the Valley. Charlton are unbeaten in their last 10 home games against Luton Town in all competitions (W6 D4) since losing 1-0 back in May 1987 in a top-flight meeting. That includes their League One clash last season, in which Charlton striker Lyle Taylor found the net twice. The forward has scored five goals in his last four appearances against Luton Town in all competitions.

Luton Town have lost their last five away league matches in London, conceding at least three goals in each defeat (19 goals conceded in total). Overall this term, they’ve conceded 2.4 goals per away game, with Charlton scoring twice or more in their two home meetings with the bottom four so far this season.

The Addicks have scored twice in four of their last five clashes with Luton, so we are backing over 1.5 goals for the hosts this weekend. Given Luton’s losing run, we are also going with a 2-1 victory for Charlton, who have conceded in 76% of their home matches.