League One Kick-Off: Luton Town vs AFC Wimbledon Opens 2025 Season Under Lights
by Geoffrey Ejiga
Matt Bloomfield Set to Start Anew
After joining Luton Town towards the tail end of the previous season, Matt Bloomfield was unable to save the club from the drop. However, the club's hierarchy says Matt Bloomfield remains the man for the job.
Already, the side has performed well in preseason, winning two games and holding Tottenham Hotspur to a draw. Luton Town beat Gillingham, Boreham Wood, and Southend will also net eight goals against Triglav.
Against Tottenham, Luton Town's solid defending ensured that the Premier League side could only register two shots in 90 minutes. Luton Town will be hoping their recent winning form will continue well into the season. However, they will face a tough nut to crack at Wimbledon. See our experts' best Luton Town vs Wimbledon prediction.
Can Wimbledon FC Overturn Its Poor Preseason Form?
Wimbledon FC will head into the 25/26 season in mixed form after losing its last three preseason games. The Dons suffered crushing defeats against Millwall, Sutton United, and Southend, conceding eight goals and only scoring two.
Fans were particularly disappointed with the result against Southend as this loss was against a non-league side. Still, Wimbledon FC can hope for a repeat of the last time they played Luton Town. The last time Luton Town played AFC Wimbledon was in 2018/2019 when both sides played a 2-2 draw.
However, many fans acknowledge that their season opener against Luton Town would be no easy game, especially as Luton is now among the favourites for promotion.
Luton Town Eyes 1st Place League One Finish Despite Recent Departures
Indeed, Luton Town who were Premier League competitors just under two years ago are poised for a promotion despite its painful relegation last season.
Many had expected Luton Town to cope with the toughness of the Championship after the club had failed to remain in the Premier League. Despite losing twice in their final 10 games of the 24/25 season, Luton Town were relegated on goal difference. Their away loss against West Brom sealed their fate, making it back-to-back relegations for The Hatters.
Heading into the season, Luton Town will be looking at a fresh squad, a condition caused by the departure of up to seven players following their drop. The club is also facing a string of injuries with Teden Mengi, Joe Johnson, and Alfie Doughty on the sidelines due to injury. Still, Matt Bloomfield will be looking to field a strong side against AFC Wimbledon, who have also strengthened their squad with two new signings ahead of the season opener against Luton Town.
After failing to score a goal in their last three preseason games, it makes sense that Luton Town would sign a striker. The club has brought in Sheffield United Striker Antwoine Hackford. The highly rated young star had emerged as Sheffield United’s youngest ever top-flight player. After scoring four goals at Port Vale last season, AfC Wimbledon has brought in the striker to boost their attack. He will be joining Danilo Orsi, who also signed for AFC Wimbledon. Announced on July 30th, Danilo Orsi penned a 2-year contract with the Don, after impressing in the Football League, where he scored 25 goals in 50 games.
Now all eyes will be on AFC Wimbledon and whether they can start upsetting Luton Town’s chances of returning to the Championship.
