Verdict: Luton Town win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway on Friday night, Luton will welcome AFC Wimbledon to Kenilworth Road.
Luton Town
Starting with the hosts, only making their final Premier League appearance 14 months ago, Luton have endured a public nightmare. Now scrapping it out in England’s third-tier, Matt Bloomfield’s men have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders. With it no secret that the Hatters have their sights firmly set on booking an immediate Championship return this time around, the former Wycombe boss will be calling on his squad to make an early statement in Bedfordshire. Opening the 2025/26 campaign already pencilled in as a standout promotion contender, Luton will also be excited by their summer preparations. Signing off their pre-season plans with a gritty 0-0 stalemate at home against Premier League giants Tottenham, Bloomfield’s side should be relishing Friday’s opening showdown at Kenilworth Road.
Luton Town Team News
Completing a permanent move from Spurs this summer, Irish shot-stopper Josh Keeley will start between the sticks on Friday night. Likewise, arriving from Bristol City this month, veteran striker Nahki Wells will lead the line at Kenilworth Road.
Former Barnsley defender Mads Andersen will partner Christ Makosso at the heart of Bloomfield’s defence. Despite returning from a loan switch to Blackburn last season, Cauley Woodrow will likely settle for a spot on the bench.
AFC Wimbledon
As for the visitors, making real history at Wembley back on May 26th as they clinched an iconic 1-0 win against Walsall in the play-off final, AFC Wimbledon sprung what was a real upset. However, despite ending their three-year stint in League Two, Johnnie Jackson’s side failed to find any real fluidity during their summer preparations. Signing off their pre-season plans with a 1-0 loss at the hands of National League outfit Southend, the Blues lost all of their final three friendly appearances by an aggregate score of 6-0. Despite gaining a reputation for their defensive steel last season, Jackson’s men have struggled to find much of a clinical edge. Including a 3-0 drumming against Millwall on July 22nd, AFC Wimbledon in almost 300 minutes of summer action.
AFC Wimbledon Team News
Completing a free switch from Scottish outfit Motherwell this summer, former Portsmouth youngster Steve Seddon will start at left-back. Likewise, fellow new recruit Nathan Bishop should get the nod and start between the sticks at Kenilworth Road.
However, not featuring this summer, former Wales U21 international Joe Lewis is not expected to feature in Bedfordshire. Bagging that famous winner at Wembley on May 26th, one-time Livingston midfielder Myles Hippolyte will start in the middle of the park.
Luton Town vs AFC Wimbledon Key Factors to Consider
- Luton have suffered just a single defeat from any of their previous five showdowns against AFC Wimbeldon.
- Along with recording a clean sheet in all of their final three friendly appearances this summer, Luton also shipped just a single strike in any of their last five outings.
- AFC Wimbledon lost their final three summer appearances by an aggregate score of 6-0.
- Including their iconic play-off final success on May 26th, Friday’s guests saw six of their final seven appearances finish with under 1.5 goals.
- Despite losing their Championship status last season. Luton lost just one of their final seven matchups at Kenilworth Road.
Conclusion
Marking their League One return on Friday night pencilled in as a leading title contender, Luton will know the importance of laying down an early marker here. Enjoying what was an eye-catching summer run and signing off proceedings with a 0-0 stalemate against Premier League giants Tottenham, the Hatters will also be excited by their recent defensive steel. Likewise, losing just one of their final seven Championship appearances last season, it should also be noted that Luton have lost just one of their previous five showdowns against AFC Wimbledon.
Verdict: Luton Town win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
