Luton vs Manchester City betting preview: odds and predictions

CHAMPIONS Manchester City haven’t won in four so a trip to lowly Luton looks more awkward than it might have been, especially after the Hatters’ impressive display against leaders Arsenal in midweek.

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Quick betting tips for Luton vs Manchester City

• Doughty 3+ tackles – 19/20 with Spreadex
• Rodri to score at any time – 5/1 with bet365
• Man City to win both halves – evens with Sky Bet

Luton vs Manchester City odds

Here are the latest match odds for Luton vs Manchester City from our top-rated football bookies. Odds are subject to change.

Luton vs Manchester City betting preview

Here’s a stat for you – Luton have won their last seven home games against the reigning English champions.

Sounds good, doesn’t it? Well, until you realise the last of them came during the 1991/92 season and all bar one match was played on Kenilworth Road’s infamous ‘plastic’ pitch.

Still, with Manchester City having not won in four Premier League outings, the Hatters will carry some hopes of extending that run.

Don’t expect it to happen, though.

City have struggled by their own high standards of late but Pep Guardiola will be demanding a response and the players will know they can ill afford to see the six-point gap to leaders Arsenal open further.

The champions have been ruthless against the newly-promoted sides in recent seasons, winning 13 of the last 14 such matches, and they’ve already seen off Burnley and Sheffield United this term.

It should be remembered that City’s ‘crisis’ run has involved games against three of their fellow top five, plus a Chelsea side who equalised deep into added time. This is different.

Lowly Luton won plenty of praise for their display against Arsenal in midweek but the fact they still lost despite scoring three goals says much about their weakness at the bck.

They’ve tried to be aggressive since their return to the top flight but having a go a this City side can be fatal given their ability on the counter. You also have to wonder how much damage has been done mentally by Tuesday night’s last-gasp loss to the Gunners.

In short, expect City to bounce back here. A dominant display really would be no surprise – read on to check out the best way to get with the visitors in the betting markets.

Luton vs Manchester City key stats

• Rodri returns from suspension for Manchester City, who have lost all four games he’s missed this season. Jack Grealish is also back from a ban, while Jeremy Doku could return.
• If City fail to win, it will mark the first time in Pep Guardiola’s career as a top-flight manager that he has gone five matches without a victory.
• City have won 13 of their last 14 games against newly-promoted clubs.
• Luton have the highest expected goals against figure (38.3) in the Premier League, way higher than the 30 goals they have actually conceded.
• The Hatters have injury doubts surrounding Tom Lockyer, Cauley Woodrow and Marvelous Nakamba, while Issa Kabore definitely won’t play as he’s on loan from Man City.

Luton vs Manchester City best bets

Find our best bets for the Luton vs Manchester City game below. Odds for the bets are provided by the best sportsbooks per our expert reviews. Odds in the bettings tips are subject to change.

Alfie Doughty 3+ tackles (Spreadex)

Luton don’t have a lot of cover on the right-hand side of their defence and so Doughty, who usually plays on the left flank, looks set to fill in for Issa Kabore.

That could spell problems as Jack Grealish, one of the most-fouled players in the top flight for some time, is available again for City, who also have the speedy Jeremy Doku operating down that side.

Doughty has managed 16 tackles in his last seven games so looks worth a bet for three or more here.

Back Doughty 3+ tackles at 19/20 at Spreadex

Rodri anytime scorer (bet365)

If Rodri’s importance to this City team wasn’t known before this season, it certainly is now – they’ve lost four out of four without him.

He’s back from suspension here and usually gets let off the lease against the ‘lesser’ teams, driving forward from deep. He’s also a major set-piece threat these days.

The Spaniard has already found the target against the other promoted sides, Burnley and Sheffield United, and backing him at 5/1 looks worth a try.

Back Rodri to score at any time at 5/1 at bet365

Man City to win both halves (Sky Bet)

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

City haven’t won in four but this looks an ideal game in which to return to winning ways.

Luton have the highest expected goals against total in the Premier League and Pep Guardiola will expect a reponse from his usually goal-hungry team, who remain the league’s top scorers despite their recent slump.

City have a fine record against the newly-promoted clubs and have won seven of their last 14 against such opposition in this manner.

Given the need for a big performance here, even money looks worth taking.

Back Man City to win both halves at evens at Sky Bet

 How to watch Luton vs Manchester City

• Location:  Kenilworth Road, Luton, England
• Time: 14:00 GMT on Sunday, December 10
• Where to watch: Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event

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