The Magpies have be a bit nervous about going into this fixture, even though they are taking on a side from the fourth tier. That’s a wide gap, but Newcastle have been far from reliable this season and as for Luton, they have produced some stunning scoring feats this season and are the favourites to win League Two. They may have the goals to rattle the Magpies even though they are 6/1 underdogs, with Newcastle at 1/2.
FA Cup – Saturday 6th January 2018 – 15:00
Newcastle Form:
Newcastle’s home form will give no confidence whatsoever to punters looking at them in this FA Cup tie. Newcastle’s return in their last six games at St James’ Park is D1 L5. That’s shockingly poor and the problem for them is goals. They failed to score in five of those six games and three of the five defeats in that sequence were by a 1-0 scoreline. So they just haven’t been able to find enough to hold their own often enough. Still, they are facing a side three divisions lower than themselves in this one, can they turn it on and get through? If they do, then it will probably be by nothing more than by a one-goal margin in this tricky FA Cup tie.
Luton Form:
Luton have had a glorious season in front of goal. They have scored so freely and regularly this season that they are going to pose a threat to the Premier League side if they turn up and want this. They are going well in the hunt for an automatic promotion place in League Two and that is where their priority is. Luton have scored nine goals in their last three games alone and on three separate occasions on league duty this season, they have scored at least seven goals in a game. They can turn it on and they have taken three clean sheets in their last five games played as well. They have won eight of their last twelve road games as well (D3 L1) in all competitions. They have hit at least two goals in all but one of their last seven road games.
Head to Head News:
Back in the 1994 FA Cup, these two were last together and they met at St James’ Park then and played out a 1-1 draw before the Hatters took the tie back on home soil with a 2-0 victory. Luton are 2-1 up with one draw in four previous FA Cup matches against the Magpies. Interestingly both teams have scored in just one of the last eight meetings.
Top Betting Tips:
Luton have the goals in them to really compete in this one and a draw for the Hatters looks a good option. They are value to at least go and back in a double chance, especially if the Magpies don’t bother sending out a full-strength starting eleven.