The new League One season kicks off on Friday night as Luton welcome Wimbledon to Kenilworth Road. The hosts suffered a second successive relegation as they dropped from the Championship at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, while the visitors were promoted from League Two via the play-offs.
Both teams have had contrasting pre-seasons leading up to this clash, with Luton winning three and drawing one of their friendlies. Meanwhile, Wimbledon only won one of their six friendlies, and will be seen as the underdogs here.
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Luton vs Wimbledon prediction: Hatters to open with win?
Key stats
- Luton have lost just one of their last eight games in total in all competitions.
- Wimbledon have lost three matches in a row without scoring.
- Luton are unbeaten in the previous three H2Hs across all competitions.
Correct score prediction: Luton 2-0 Wimbledon
With home advantage and being in much better form, Luton should claim all three points here on the opening night of the season. They have also kept four consecutive clean sheets, while Wimbledon have failed to score in their previous three games, suggesting that the Hatters could win to nil.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Luton favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 1/2 (1.50) – 66.7%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Luton are heavily fancied by bookmakers to claim all three points on home soil. A draw is valued at just over 23%, while a Wimbledon victory away from home can be backed at just under 17%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Football Betting Tips Today page.
Most recent H2Hs: Luton looking at extending unbeaten streak
As mentioned before, Luton are unbeaten in the previous three H2Hs, winning two of them. Their last meeting resulted in a 2-2 draw though at home in 2019.
England League 1 23/04/19
Luton
AFC Wimbledon
England League 1 27/10/18
AFC Wimbledon
Luton
England EFL Trophy 31/10/17
AFC Wimbledon
Luton
England League 2 13/02/16
AFC Wimbledon
Luton
England League 2 26/09/15
Luton
AFC Wimbledon
Luton preview: New signings could start
Josh Keeley could debut for Luton in net after arriving in a £1m deal from Tottenham in the summer transfer window, while Kal Naismith, George Saville and Nahki Wells could also all be handed debuts. Both Elijah Adebayo and Jacob Brown will be missing through injury though for the Hatters.
Predicted lineup: Keeley (GK); Walters, Makosso, Andersen, Naismith; Alli, Lonwijk, Clark; Baptiste, Wells & Saville
England Championship 03/05/25
L
West Brom
5
Luton
3
England Championship 26/04/25
W
Coventry
0
Luton
1
England Championship 21/04/25
W
Bristol City
1
Luton
3
England Championship 18/04/25
W
Derby
0
Luton
1
England Championship 12/04/25
L
Blackburn
1
Luton
0
Wimbledon preview: Key players back from injury
Wimbledon have been able to welcome back both Omar Bugiel and Sam Hutchinson after injury, and both could find themselves in the starting XI here. New signing from Sunderland Nathan Bishop should also take his place in between the sticks for the Dons.
Predicted lineup: Bishop (GK); Harbottle, Ogundere, Johnson; Hippolyte, Smith, Reeves, Hutchinson, Seddon; Stevens & Bugiel
England League 2 10/05/25
W
Notts County
0
AFC Wimbledon
1
England League 2 03/05/25
W
Grimsby
0
AFC Wimbledon
1
England League 2 26/04/25
L
Port Vale
2
AFC Wimbledon
0
England League 2 21/04/25
L
Gillingham
1
AFC Wimbledon
0
England League 2 18/04/25
D
Chesterfield
0
AFC Wimbledon
0
Player to watch: Nahki Wells
Nahki Wells is among the players hoping to make their debuts for Luton against Wimbledon, after the Hatters signed the striker on a free transfer following his departure from Bristol City in the Championship. At 35 years of age, the striker is highly experienced in the English Football League (EFL), boasting a total of 153 career goals across the Championship, League One and League Two.