Luton Town kick off the 2025-26 Sky Bet League One season at home to AFC Wimbledon in the opening match of the campaign.
Luton are back in the third tier after they suffered relegation from the Championship on the final day of last season, whilst AFC Wimbledon earned promotion from League Two via the play-offs.
Team News
Luton have no fresh injury concerns to report as Josh Keeley, Kal Naismith, Hakeem Odoffin, Jake Richards, George Saville and Nakhi Wells look to make their competitive debuts, following their arrivals over the summer.
AFC Wimbledon have no fresh injury concerns after Sam Hutchinson and Omar Bugiel returned from injury in pre-season.
Nathan Bishop, Delano McCoy-Splatt, Joe McDonnell, Steve Seddon, Alistair Smith, Antwoine Hackford and Danilo Orsi could make their competitive bows for the Dons.
When is Kick-Off?
Luton host AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road on Friday 1 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports’ Main Event and Football channels in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Luton have avoided defeat to AFC Wimbledon in two previous League One meetings (W1, D1).
- AFC Wimbledon drew 2-2 in their only previous League One visit to Luton in April 2019 (D1).
- Luton have scored twice in each of their two previous League One meetings against AFC Wimbledon, which saw them win 2-0 away then draw 2-2 at home in 2018-19 season.
- Matt Bloomfield’s Hatters kept four clean sheets in six pre-season friendlies (W5, D1).
- AFC Wimbledon have conceded six goals in their last three pre-season fixtures without reply (L3).
Prediction
Defending was Luton’s Achilles heel in the last two seasons and ultimately cost them survival on the final day last season – despite having found form in their last few games to put safety in their own hands, which they blew with a sloppy defensive effort in a 5-3 loss at West Brom.
AFC Wimbledon meanwhile grinded their way through the League Two play-offs with clinical smash-and-grab displays but this is a step up, with Josh Neufville and James Tilley being their biggest losses in terms of outgoings although I do expect them to adapt quickly and be difficult to beat defensively.
Luton however should have too much for them given that the Hatters have retained much of their core squad with only Carlton Morris and Alfie Doughty’s exits having much impact on the likely starting line-up, although AFC Wimbledon will try and mount a decent fight.
Prediction: Luton 2-1 AFC Wimbledon
Result: Luton 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
Leave a Reply