.png){kind=small}
It's less than a week away before the 2023/2024 Premier League fixtures are released at 09:00 GMT. This will be the all important roadmap as to how Luton Town will fare in the league, which gets underway on Saturday, 12th of August and will culminate on Sunday, 19th of May 2024. When this fixture list is released Rob Edwards, Richie Kyle and Paul Trollope will be making their estimations for which games we should be targeting to obtain maximum points from. However, before a ball has even been kicked, many are stating the Hatters have no chances of surviving in their first top flight season in over thirty years.
Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo celebrating a goal during the 2022/23 season | Photo courtesy of Gareth Owen
Whilst many will be hoping to avoid a "Derby County" situation where they infamously only achieved 12 points. There are certain teams that Luton can realistically look at and hope they can take points from them, which in turn could be the difference maker in the race for survival, or even European hopes. Here's five teams in the Premier League that Luton Town should be beating next season.
1. Sheffield United
It goes without saying that The Blades will be one to look out for next season, having been promoted alongside them. After taking a point from them at Kenilworth Road and three massive points at Bramall Lane which was factored into Luton securing the play-off spot, you would imagine Luton should be taking the same amount of points from Paul Heckingbottom's men, if not all six. A good starting rule to staying up in the Premier League is trying to take points off the teams that came up with you, because it's highly likely they will be vital points come the end of the season, as they may end up being a scrap to avoid the drop.
2. Everton
A team incredibly fortunate to avoid relegation on the final day of the Premier League season, they are a team Luton can be hopeful of sealing at least three points out of six out of the Toffees. An early trip to them during the season as Sean Dyche begins to fully rebuild the team could be the prime time to strike, but many have already forecast that unless they turn things fully around, we might be looking at Everton fighting for relegation yet again come next May considering their Financial Fair Play issues which may prevent them from recruiting well in the off season.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea are going through a shake up that they haven't seen in a very long time. Their 12th place finish last season was the lowest table position they've achieved in seven years. With former Spurs and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino being brought in Stamford Bridge, they too will be looking to rebuild. Having said that, when you look back to March 2022 when Luton faced The Blues at Kenilworth Road in the FA Cup, we led for a good proportion of the game before losing out late on. An early visit during the campaign could cause an upset while Chelsea continue to get their house in order and Poch looks to reflect on his bloated squad.
4. Wolves
In order for Luton to hold their own in the Premier League, they will need to do well against strong mid-table sides, with Wolverhampton Wanderers being a good example of this. Now under the management of Julen Lopategui, it will be interesting to see how he fairs in the off season, after a dismal end to the 2022/23 season. Finishing mid table for the past five seasons, and having players like Diego Costa and Rúben Neves as well as a variety of imported starlets in their line-up, they will be a strong indicator as to whether Rob Edwards has what it takes to hang with the big boys.
5. AFC Bournemouth
Many may forget that, when Luton Town were deducted 30 points for entering Administration in League Two, Bournemouth were also docked ten points that season too. But as Eddie Howe assisted The Cherries rise to the Premier League, and having returned to the top tier last season after a stint in the Championship, both sides will face off at the highest level of English Football. It won't be lost in peoples memories that the last time the clubs met, Luton snatched an incredible last minute winner on that cold January Saturday lunchtime at Kenilworth Road thanks to Kal Naismith. If The Hatters are able to replicate that spirit again, they can easily take points away from Gary O'Neil's side.