Luton Town take on West Ham United on Friday Night Football as Kenilworth Road makes its debut as a Premier League stadium. The Hatters are still searching for their first point of the new season having lost two away games so far, but they’ll hope that home soil can deliver some top flight points.
West Ham meanwhile have enjoyed a flying start, with wins over both Chelsea and Brighton, and David Moyes knows his side can go top of the league ahead of Saturday’s fixtures. We’ve put together a #PickYourPunt for this Premier League encounter.
West Ham to win
The Hammers have been simply sensational at the start of the new season and although the factor of Kenilworth Road will play a part, it won’t be enough to bridge the gap in quality between the two sides. On paper, they are a class apart while West Ham also have the physicality to deal with Rob Edwards’ aerial bombardment.
Michail Antonio to score anytime
Talking of physicality, one man who should benefit from this type of encounter is striker Michail Antonio. The West Ham man is in fine goalscoring form having scored at Brighton and against Chelsea, and Moyes will certainly look to utilise his strengths in what is set to be a physical battle.
Antonio is also excellent from set-pieces, and should be afforded a couple of chances in this match-up against Luton. He’s the best fancy in the anytime goalscorer market.
Marvellous Nakamba, Tom Lockyer and Carlton Morris to be carded
As has been alluded to already, this is set to be a tough and gritty battle between the two sides. Referee Paul Tierney isn’t shy at dishing out cards, having given Fulham four yellows and one red at the Emirates and he is likely to be a busy man at Kenilworth Road.
We’ve selected the three most likely Luton players to get yellows as they dig their heels in and fight for everything they are worth, in front of the cameras. Striker Carlton Morris can sometimes get into a tussle and lose his head, Marvellous Nakamba is the holding midfielder who was booked against Chelsea, as was centre-back Tom Lockyer, who will have his hands full with Antonio.
Three yellows may seem excessive, but it’s boosted the odds for this particular #PickYourPunt to a whopping 125/1.
