Tuesday, December 16, 2008

TONIGHT'S FOOTBALL ........... COLCHESTER ON THE ROAD

JOHNSTONE'S PAINT TROPHY

LUTON TOWN - COLCHESTER UNITED

I am keen on United here, they have not really adapted to their new home stadium yet, collecting just eight league points all season, but on the road, it is a different story with 16 points, including a fine 2-1 win at Leeds on Saturday. In addition to which, they have played every round in the JPT away from home, winning at Millwall, Gillingham and Bournemouth , all by identical 1-0 scorelines. They are clearly much happier when they do not have to make the running and are not posed with the problem of trying to break teams down.

Luton are unbeaten in three starts, but are fighting a losing battle to preserve their league status, the points deduction is/was simply too great and they remain 16 points from safety. I have no doubt that they will "up" for the game tonight , but at this stage of the JPT with the opportunity of some money spinning games ahead, I would expect that to be true of most of the remaining teams. They have struggled at Kenilworth Road for over a year, winning just 6 of their last 23 starts, all three wins this season, have come on the back of early goals. That makes a lot of sense, because if things do not go their way almost from the off, the under lying lack of confidence manifests itself and at least subconsiously, they are expecting the worst. There is at least a full division between these two clubs, even if we give Town back their 30 points and I believe that United have some improvement in them and expect a strong 2009 from the U's if they can find some home form.

Striker Jermaine Easter will be missing, after limping out of the match at Elland Road 25 minutes into the game, but that did not stop them winning and providing they can keep Luton at bay for the opening 10-15 minutes, they should be able to make their superior class tell and record another away win, which would be their tenth in 15 starts.

5 points Colchester -1/4 ball 2.03 asian line.

Good Luck.


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