Our expert believes that Luton’s time in the upper echelons of English football should see them overcome the League One newcomers on the opening day.
Best bets for Luton Town vs Wimbledon
- Luton Town to win @ -210 with BetMGM
- BTTS- No @ -120 with BetMGM
- Under 0.5 first half goals @ +210 with BetMGM
All odds are courtesy of BetMGM, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
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A tough night awaits
Although League One football is challenging, Luton enter this game as firm favourites to secure all three points and kick off their league campaign. They won five friendlies in a row before sharing the honours with Tottenham.
In quite a contrast, Wimbledon’s pre-season campaign was woeful, winning just one of their six games (3 losses, 2 draws). Although their four consecutive wins to finish last season might provide some momentum, the Dons are likely to struggle with the step up in competition for this opener.
Head-to-heads go back to 2019 and beyond, but Luton held the advantage by winning three of the previous five clashes (1 loss, 1 draw). Wimbledon may leave Kenilworth Road with nothing to celebrate, not even a goal, considering they failed to score in their last three outings.
- Luton Town vs Wimbledon Betting Tip 1: Luton Town to Win @ -210 with BetMGM
A goal drought
All three of Luton’s recent outings produced fewer than two goals. Goals were quite an issue for the Hatters last season. They scored 45 goals in 46 games, averaging just below a goal per game - that’s something Bloomfield must improve.
Wimbledon were slightly better, scoring 56 goals in their 46 games at an average of 1.2 goals per game. However, it seems those have dried up since they haven’t scored a single goal across three games, all of which ended in defeat.
With the both teams to score market split down the middle, backing no looks a good pick here given the lack of firepower for both sides.
- Luton Town vs Wimbledon Betting Tip 2: BTTS - No @ -120 with BetMGM
A slow start at Kenilworth
Two divisions separated these sides last season, but they enter this one on equal footing. That could only add to the early nerves here, and that helps our bet.
We expect the Hatters to secure maximum points but it could be a slow start for new boss Matt Bloomfield. It was a regular problem for Luton last campaign. They scored before the break in just nine of their 23 home matches. Cardiff were the only side to score fewer.
The visitors’ recent record adds to this tip. Just one of Wimbledon’s final nine matches in the regular League Two season last campaign saw a goal before halftime. If that continues, this bet looks good at an odds-against price.
- Luton Town vs Wimbledon Betting Tip 3: Under 0.5 first half goals @ +210 with BetMGM
Our analysis: Form of both teams
Luton Town have suffered back-to-back relegations after recently competing with the top teams in English football. It’s been a steep decline for the Hatters, who must now work their way back up from League One - and they’re actually favourites to do so.
They’ve made some steady progress under the guidance of manager Matt Bloomfield. Luton Town have enjoyed an unbeaten warm-up to the league campaign, one of which included a goalless draw with Tottenham.
Wimbledon, meanwhile, will approach this League One season with a very different mindset, especially since they earned their spot with a win at Wembley. However, considering the lack of depth in their squad, they are favourites to head back down.
The Dons also face a difficult start as a trip to Kenilworth Road is never easy, even for the likes of Newcastle, Brighton, or Liverpool. All three have played there in league matches and left with little.
Nonetheless, there’s no doubt that Johnnie Jackson will have his team fired up for this one, knowing it could set the tone for the rest of the season.
Probable lineups for Luton Town vs Wimbledon
Luton Town expected lineup: Keeley; Walters, Makosso, Andersen, Naismith; Alli, Lonwijk; Baptiste, Clark, Saville; Wells
Wimbledon expected lineup: Bishop; Harbottle, Hippolyte, Hutchinson, Johnson, Kelly, Reeves, Sasu, Seddon, Smith, Stevens