The big day: Hatters travel to Brighton for first top flight fixture in more than 30 years
3,000 Hatters’ fans are heading down to the South Coast to back the side. Comment your predictions for the match.
Luton travel to the Amex Stadium on Saturday to face Brighton and Hove Albion in the club’s maiden Premier League fixture.
3,000 Hatters’ fans are heading down to the South Coast to back the side, with many making a full weekend of the visit. Brighton will be a tough first test for the Hatters, finishing 6th last season and securing European football for the first time in their history.
Today is the last day to savour the anticipation of the Premier League. The hard work and elation of recent years, and the trudge of the years before that, have all worked towards this moment. And whilst the summer was full of enjoyable excitement, the true challenges now begin.
I had the pleasure of giving Mirror Sport a few thoughts on how Luton will do this season - view that by clicking here. But let’s dive into a bit more detail shall we?
In this edition of Between The Houses…
The full season preview: The players to watch, the potholes to spot and the things to fear - I look ahead at what we can expect from this season
Journey to Brighton: Our season begins on the south coast at a club with a similar rise to ours - I predict how our first day will go
What we got and what we missed: A final plot twist came in the transfer window last week - but is it enough to build the squad and secure our Prem future?
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The big season preview
Expectations
If everything goes to plan and we are as defensively solid as we were last season - we have what it takes to stay in the Premier League. But that’s a big if.
At Kenilworth Road, with our fans behind us and on top of the opposition, I think we can rattle some players and cause a few upsets. Whilst it was away from home where we really shone last season, it will be the results at the Kenny which are really crucial. Don’t be surprised if we take points off a couple of the so called “Big Six”.
Other fans are expecting very little of us, so it would be great to surprise them and knock them down a few pegs.
Players to Watch
Tom Lockyer will once again be crucial for us. He picked up almost every award last season and is a huge presence in both boxes, popping up with goals at key moments last season.
Tying him down to a new contract is huge for us, especially with rumours that we need to beat off interest from Everton, who will be one of the teams around us in the table. His leadership and experience will be valuable, particularly with our new look defence.
Carlton Morris’ goals will likely decide games for us. He has the physical presence to bully dominate some Premier League defenders and hold the ball up to bring in other players.
His link-up play with Adebayo will also be important and we need them both to click in front of goal.
Tahith Chong was so impressive in pre-season and fans are already loving him. His drive and speed carrying the ball forward, combined with his quick feet will be crucial, particularly when counter attacking.
Marvellous Nakamba is arguably our most important signing. His ability to break up opposition play and provide cover for other players getting forward will be invaluable.
He also provides much-needed Premier League experience, something which many in the squad do not have. With performances like last season he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Luke Berry. Some might be surprised by this inclusion, but Berry has consistently performed for us since we signed him and always gives 100 per cent whenever he is called upon. Berry has a knack for getting in the right place at the right time for a goal and I think he could grab two or three goals this season if given the opportunity.
His performances in pre-season have definitely put him firmly in the picture and Hatters’ fans will be excited to see him get an opportunity.
Signings
Our recruitment has once again been brilliant. We have brought in the right characters for the squad and have improved in key areas.
We have also kept hold of key players, whilst sides like Sheffield United and Wolves have lost their best players and have not replaced them.
The addition of Thomas Kaminski in goal looks like a major upgrade. His passing out from the back and composure when claiming crosses in Bochum was very impressive and is exactly the profile of keeper we needed.
He kept 10 clean sheets in 28 games for Blackburn Rovers last season, a percentage of 35%. He also made 83 saves in those games and conceded 35 goals in total.
Mads Andersen brings much needed depth at centre back, particularly with Osho and Burke side-lined. Barnsley fans were full of praise for the Dane and were disappointed to see him go.
Andersen comes across as level-headed and composed in all of the interviews he has done and will be a good addition to an already-solid defence. At 6ft 4in he will be a presence in the box.
Ross Barkley brings in much needed Premier League experience and is an incredibly skilled player in midfield. His arrival caught fans by surprise with very few rumours circulating.
Giles and Kaboré both look like top players out wide. Whilst I am a big fan of Doughty and expect him to relish when given the chance, Giles’ deliveries are almost unmatched, providing 11 assists in the Championship last season.
Kaboré arrives on loan with Champions League experience at Marseille and was named the 2021 Africa Cup of Nation's best young player.
As previously mentioned, the permanent additions of Nakamba and Chong will be vital for us and I think they will be key starters in our midfield.
Concerns
We already have a few injury problems at centre back. If we pick up anymore injuries to defenders we would be quite light at the back.
I would like to see us bring in another defender to provide a little more depth in that area.
Carlton Morris is our main goal threat and if he gets injured or struggles to score we may lack goals, although when Adebayo is in form he can be very difficult to play against.
Prediction
League Finish: 16th or 17th
I think it is a realistic expectation to thin we can stay in the Premier League. It will be tough at times but we have a solid squad and the right characters.
The Kenny will be an absolute fortress and opposition players won’t enjoy having the fans on top of them, now on all four sides.
Fan Prediction: 17th
We asked fans to vote where they think Luton will finish this season and 22% voted for 17th place.
Key Player: Tom Lockyer
I think Lockyer’s leadership and performances on the pitch will decide games for us. He is the heartbeat of the team and clearly liked by his fellow players.
Fan Prediction: Marvellous Nakamba
23% of fans voted for Nakamba as the key player this season. Tom Lockyer finished 2nd with 21%, whilst Carlton Morris was 3rd with 19%.
No matter what happens this season, We are Luton Town and we are Premier League.
You might also be interested in reading…
⚽ Mick Harford takes over Luton station with special announcements ahead of Premier League debut
The rail operator is hailing it the ‘Thameslink Derby’
Read more here.
🏆 Luton Town's massive message of support from London Luton Airport
Thousands of passengers flying to and from the airport will be greeted by a giant grass painting located on the flight path
Read more here.
⭐ How industrial action on the railways could impact Hatters fans' journeys
Luton Town fans travelling to Brighton this weekend are likely to have their journeys disrupted
Read more here.
Luton Town vs Brighton and Hove Albion - here we go!
The Luton players will be relishing the opportunity to play in the Premier League and for many of the side it will be a first Premier League game in their career.
The squad has been strengthened with nine new signings, including the recent additions of experienced former Everton and Chelsea midfielder, Ross Barkley and Scotland forward Jacob Brown. For the travelling Hatters it will be a first chance to see the new additions in competitive action.
Luton will be without four first team players, with Dan Potts and Jordan Clark joining the already injured Reece Burke and Gabe Osho.
Tom Lockyer and Amari’i Bell will relish the opportunity to play against Premier League opposition and we can expect to see a first competitive start for Mads Andersen.
Ahead of the game, manager Rob Edwards said: "We’ve got a big season ahead and it’s been a long time coming since the final kick at Wembley. The elation turns quite real and now we feel ready.
"The fans are the most important people at any football club. They are the most important to me, they’re here before us and they’ll be here after us. They’ve been through some really bleak times in the past, so hopefully they can enjoy these moments because they deserve it."
The Seagulls
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton side is full of talented and exciting players and will provide a tough test for the Hatters. Their set up is exactly what Luton Town should be aspiring to become in the long run.
Solid at the back, Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster will be a tough first test for Morris and Adebayo and it will be a real physical battle in that area of the pitch. Issa Kaboré will be busy defensively, tasked with keeping the lively Estupinan and Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma quiet on the Brighton left.
The Seagulls will have a new-look midfield, following the departure of World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and what looks like an exit for Ecuadorian international Moisés Caicedo. James Milner brings heaps of experience and German international Mahmoud Dahoud is a talented addition, having previously played for Borrussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Evan Ferguson will be hoping to pick up where he left off last season and continue his exciting Premier League career. Former Watford (yuck) man, Joao Pedro will provide further attacking talent and will be a target for Luton’s travelling faithful.
Predictions
I think it will be a tough test for the Hatters but if we can stay in the game we can definitely snatch a result. Brighton will have a lot of possession and we will need to remain resolute under pressure.
What our staff think…
Brad Gray (Between The Houses editor): Brighton 1-1 Luton
Daniel DeFalco (SuffolkLive reporter): Brighton 1-2 Luton
Cameron Rutherford (HertsLive reporter): Brighton 2-0 Luton
Alex Boyd (SussexLive Deputy Editor): Brighton 3-1 Luton
Ashlea Hickin (NorfolkLive reporter): Brighton 1-0 Luton
Liam Ryder (BuckinghamshireLive content editor): Brighton 0-1 Luton
Whatever happens, it’s sure to be a wild ride for the Hatters faithful who make the big journey south.
COME ON YOU HATTERS!!!
Comment your predictions and send your photos from the match to betweenthehouses@reachplc.com