Latest news with #Hatters
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Luton vs AFC Wimbledon prediction, best bets and League One betting odds
Luton vs Wimbledon tips: It's a tough start to life back in League One on Friday for AFC Wimbledon, who face the favourites for promotion, Luton Town, at Kenilworth Road. There were two divisions between these two sides last season, but after the Hatters suffered their second consecutive relegation and Wimbledon won the League Two play-offs, they kick off the new EFL season. It's only two years ago that Luton were preparing for life in the Premier League, but after winning just 19 of their last 84 league games, it's been a torrid time for fans who have had little to celebrate. If they are to live up to their favourites for the League One title tag, Matt Bloomfield will hope they can hit the ground running and show there is no hangover from their successive relegations. They did win three of their last four matches of last season, as they desperately fought to avoid the drop, but a 5-3 defeat at West Brom on their final day saw them go down on goal difference from Hull City, who lived to fight another day in the Championship. Wimbledon, on the other hand, are used to winning, having finished fifth in the League Two table and beating Notts County twice in the play-off semi-finals to set up a Wembley meeting with Walsall. Myles Hippolyte scored the only goal of the game in the final to secure their return to the third flight after a three-year absence. They won each of their play-off games 1-0, and goals were a problem as they managed just 59 from their 49 league and play-off games but they did keep 24 clean sheets, and success is built on defence. They are the favourites in the League One odds for relegation, but manager Johnnie Jackson will be desperate to prove the doubters wrong. Luton vs AFC Wimbledon betting: Hatters to kick off with a win The two sides have only met four times, but the last meeting was in this division during the 2018/19 season, when Luton won the league title with 94 points. Wimbledon were at the opposite end of the table, but they secured the all-important 50 points and their safety by goal difference from Plymouth - I think both teams might be happy with that outcome in May, although I doubt Plymouth would though! In their first meeting at Plough Lane, Pelly Mpanzu and Elliot Lee were both on target as the visitors won 2-0. The return match at Kenilworth Road in April 2019 ended all square as Steve Seddon scored in added time for the visitors to secure a 2-2 draw. Defender Seddon is one of six signings made by Wimbledon as he returns to the club for a third spell after two previous loans when he was at Birmingham City. Football betting sites are backing Luton for the win at odds of 1/2, while you can get 11/2 on Wimbledon and 18/5 on a draw. I think the Hatters should have the edge to kickstart their season with a victory and a clean sheet in the process. Luton vs Wimbledon prediction 1 : Luton to win to nil - 17/10 William Hill Luton vs AFC Wimbledon prediction: Wells to have an instant impact After five years at Bristol City, striker Nahki Wells swapped Ashton Gate for Kenilworth Road when his contract expired in the summer, and it could be a masterstroke from Matt Bloomfield. The Bermudian cost City £5m when they signed him from Burnley in 2020, and he scored 46 goals in 131 league starts in the Championship. He has a habit of scoring important goals, and opening the entire EFL season would be a good way to start on Friday. Betting sites are offering 4/1 on him scoring first or last, and you can get 9/5 on him scoring at any time. Luton vs Wimbledon prediction 2: Nahki Wells to score at any time - 9/5 Unibet Please gamble responsibly When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. Betting can be addictive and it's important to stay in control of your betting. Never treat gambling as a way to make money, never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop. Gambling sites offer punters tools, like deposit limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options, to help them stay in control. But if you ever feel like you need help or advice on gambling addiction, don't hesitate to contact one of the charities or organisations below.
Evening Standard
6 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Luton vs Tottenham LIVE: Pre-season friendly match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction
After the morning's affair ended in a 2-2 draw, a fresh Spurs squad will have a go at the Hatters and look to get back to winning ways. Luton being a Premier League side is not a particularly distant memory - they were relegated after finishing 18th in 2023-24, just over one year ago. They have since suffered a dreaded double-relegation, though, and this friendly will now serve as a warmup for a League One campaign.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Collective benchmark' for success at Luton
New Luton signing Nahki Wells said there is a "collective benchmark" within the club to secure promotion back to the 35-year-old forward signed for the Hatters earlier this month after not being offered a new contract at Bristol City."There's no denying that there's some disappointment that's hanging over the club because of the huge success they had a few years ago, for it to then turn into real tough times with the back to back relegations," Wells told BBC Radio Bristol."Since coming into the football club there's still a real element of excitement to maybe have a different perspective going into the season as favourites."Last season they had that as well but, in more historical cases, the club hasn't had that demand that they should go on to get promotion."This season I can feel that's our collective benchmark to go on and have success."Wells said the move to Luton after five and a half years with the Robins was a "big change" for him."But [it's] familiar territory in terms of preparing for a new chapter, a new start. I'm excited for what's ahead."
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luton defender Odoffin out after minor surgery
Luton Town defender Hakeem Odoffin requires minor surgery and will be out of action for an unspecified period, the club has said. The 27-year-old signed for the Hatters in early July and the club say an MRI scan in his medical flagged "an unexpected non-musculoskeletal issue". Manager Matt Bloomfield told the club website they were aware of the issue before signing Odoffin. "We were in a position to make the decision where either we support him through this, knowing that we've got a real good person, a real good character and a real good player – or we walk away from it," Bloomfield added. "Hakeem is someone the recruitment department at the football club had kept a really close eye on before I was here, someone who I know extremely well from playing against him, so all things aligned and we believe it's still the right decision." Odoffin, who left Rotherham United in May, said he hopes to be back playing soon. "Unfortunately, it does require surgery to correct the issue and ensure I can return to playing safely," he said. "I'll be sidelined for a little while, but I'm fully focused on my recovery and will be working hard to get back to training with the lads as soon as possible." Relegated Luton begin their League One campaign at home to AFC Wimbledon on Friday, 1 August (20:00 BST). 'Relegation scar will never go away' - Bloomfield Luton sign Wells, Odoffin and Lonwijk Luton sign West Ham forward Kodua on loan
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luton defender Odoffin out after minor surgery
Luton Town defender Hakeem Odoffin requires minor surgery and will be out of action for an unspecified period, the club has said. The 27-year-old signed for the Hatters in early July and the club say an MRI scan in his medical flagged "an unexpected non-musculoskeletal issue". Manager Matt Bloomfield told the club website they were aware of the issue before signing Odoffin. "We were in a position to make the decision where either we support him through this, knowing that we've got a real good person, a real good character and a real good player – or we walk away from it," Bloomfield added. "Hakeem is someone the recruitment department at the football club had kept a really close eye on before I was here, someone who I know extremely well from playing against him, so all things aligned and we believe it's still the right decision." Odoffin, who left Rotherham United in May, said he hopes to be back playing soon. "Unfortunately, it does require surgery to correct the issue and ensure I can return to playing safely," he said. "I'll be sidelined for a little while, but I'm fully focused on my recovery and will be working hard to get back to training with the lads as soon as possible." Relegated Luton begin their League One campaign at home to AFC Wimbledon on Friday, 1 August (20:00 BST). 'Relegation scar will never go away' - Bloomfield Luton sign Wells, Odoffin and Lonwijk Luton sign West Ham forward Kodua on loan
