Man City vs Luton predictions: Expect a mauling at the Etihad

Liam Flin

Spotlight

Pep Guardiola will want to see his Man City side make no mistake at home to Luton.

- Man City are unbeaten in 27 home games in the Premier League
- Luton's league games have averaged 3.44 goals per game this season
- Recommended bet: Man City to win & over 3.5 goals

Fresh from playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, Man City must turn their attention back to the Premier League against Luton on Saturday.

With both Liverpool and Arsenal playing on Sunday, City have the chance to put the pressure on in the title race and can go top with victory.

But visitors Luton, despite a lengthy injury list, can be expected to put up a fight as they continue their battle against relegation.

Team news

Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake are still out for the Citizens, although goalkeeper Ederson is reportedly close to a return.

Pep Guardiola is expected to make changes with this match sandwiched between the two legs of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid.

Luton are in the midst of an injury crisis, with defenders Gabriel Osho, Amari'i Bell, Issa Kabore, Mads Andersen and Dan Potts all unavailable.

Also on the sidelines are Marvelous Nakamba, Elijah Adebayo, Chiedozie Ogbene and Jacob Brown.

The latest Man City vs Luton odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Man City are unbeaten in 16 home games in the Premier League this season, having won 11 and drawn five.

They have also scored 71 goals in 31 league matches, giving them an average of 2.29 goals per game.

Luton, meanwhile, have won only two league games on their travels, leaking 38 goals in 16 road fixtures.

Luton boss Rob Edwards has plenty of injury problems to deal with for the trip to Man City.

Prediction

Man City and Luton have met twice already this season, the first a closely fought battle won 2-1 by City in the league and the second a 6-2 massacre by Guardiola's men in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

And their meeting on Saturday looks more likely to mimic the cup thrashing as City look to take control in the Premier League title race.

Guardiola's side have work to do, but a win would put them top at least until Sunday and it is hard to see them fluffing their lines.

Rotation is likely given their Champions League quarter-final clash with Man City next Wednesday, but they should still be far too strong for the injury-ravaged Hatters.

Luton are especially light at the back and are consequently without a clean sheet in their last 12 games.

That will be music to the ears of City, who will be eager to rack up their goal difference, which is inferior to both Arsenal and Liverpool heading into the weekend.

Luton have shown they can hold their own against the big guns this season but they could be out of their depth on this occasion and a City thrashing could be on the cards.

Back Man City to win and over 3.5 goals at 4/6 with LiveScore Bet.