As outspoken as ever, Garth Crooks recently made an exceptionally audacious prediction for the current top-flight season.

Garth Crooks has outrageously predicted that Luton, a newcomer to the Premier League, will be demoted by Christmas.

The Hatters entered this season as heavy underdogs to avoid the relegation zone and have dropped all three games thus far, most notably losing 2-1 to West Ham on Friday night at home as Kenilworth Road played host to its first top-flight match in thirty years.

After losing 4-1 to Brighton and 3-0 to Chelsea, Rob Edwards’ team showed promise against the Hammers – attempting 16 shots to the visitors’ nine – but Crooks has already dismissed the Bedfordshire side’s chances of survival.

Including West Ham defender Kurt Zouma in his BBC Sport Team of the Week, the former Tottenham, Manchester United and England forward noted:

“Zouma was the outstanding defender for the Hammers in their 2-1 win against a Luton Town side that is, so far, just making up the Premier League numbers. It’s good to see the tangerine colours of Luton back in the big league once more, but I can’t take them seriously and see them down by Christmas.

“They might take a few scalps along the way, but don’t let the scoreline fool you: this victory was as comfortable for West Ham as it gets.”

Why Luton had to revamp their ground for the Premier League

Luton find themselves second-bottom of the Premier League heading into the international break, ahead of Burnley only on goal difference.

They return to action with a trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Saturday 16 September.