Assessing Luton Town’s opening games of the Championship as the Hatters seek promotion back to the Premier League

As the 2024/25 Championship season prepares to get underway, one of the teams in the spotlight is Luton Town, and their quest for promotion back to the Premier League.

Following a rollercoaster of emotions over the last decade, which saw the Bedfordshire side climb from the Conference to the top flight, the Hatters are determined to return to the promised land of English football after suffering relegation last term.

As one of the favourites for a Championship top 6 finish, this article will assess Luton’s opening games of the season, the challenges they are set to face and the opportunities that lie ahead, providing an overview of how their quest to return to the Premier League could get underway.

Burnley – Home

It won’t be an easy start to the Championship campaign for the Hatters, as they host fellow recently relegated side and promotion rivals Burnley at Kenilworth Road.

The Clarets were one of the most disappointing sides in the Premier League last term, with many expecting big things from Burnley after Vincent Kompany instilled a new philosophy at Turf Moor.

It’s another new era for the Lancashire outfit, as Scott Parker has replaced Bayern Munich-bound Kompany in the dugout.

The former Bournemouth and Fulham manager will want to get off to a winning start, but so will Rob Edwards, so expect a close encounter.

Portsmouth – Away

Portsmouth are back in the Championship for the first time since 2012, and this will be the south coast side’s first game at Fratton Park.

The atmosphere is going to be electric and that will make life very difficult for Luton, with John Mousinho desperate to get a win in front of the home fans.

Pompey has been compared to Ipswich Town, who just achieved back-to-back promotions from League One to the Championship, and they could be an outside shout for the play-offs.

The Hatters will likely be the slight favourites for this game in the Championship betting odds, but Portsmouth can’t be dismissed and could be a danger if they get a big result away to Leeds on the opening weekend.

Preston – Away

It’s back-to-back away games for Luton, as they make the lengthy trip up north to face Preston North End at Deepdale Stadium on August 24.

Preston finished a respectable 10th last season, but a run of five straight losses to close out the campaign cost them dearly in their bid for a play-off spot.

The bookies are now predicting that the Lancashire side could be dragged into a relegation battle, as they are joint-third favourites for the drop.

When Luton were promoted to the Premier League two seasons ago, they failed to beat Preston in their two encounters, losing at home and drawing away, so Edwards will be keen to get a win here.

QPR – Home

It’s back to the ‘Kenny’ for Luton on gameweek four, as they host Queen’s Park Rangers (QPR) at their unique stumping ground on August 30.

QPR looked in danger of suffering relegation late last season, but a solid run of three successive victories saw them finish just six points clear of Birmingham City in 22nd.

Marti Cifuentes has received high praise for saving the west London side from the jaws of the drop, and they have high hopes to climb up the table this season.

Luton beat QPR comfortably in their two encounters a couple of seasons ago, including a 3-1 win at Kenilworth Road, and will see this as a winnable game despite QPR’s optimism going into this year.