Brighton head into the 2023-24 campaign in high spirits after qualifying for the Europa League for the first time in their history thanks to an impressive sixth-placed finish in the Premier League last season – their highest-ever top-flight finish.Despite the departure of
Graham Potter at the beginning of last season, Roberto De Zerbi has since stepped in and continued Brighton’s eye-catching rise in the top tier, implementing an attractive brand of football with a young and exciting squad that
has the potential to reach new heights this term.The summer exits of Chelsea loans Levi Colwill and key midfielder Alexis Mac Allister could soon be followed by the possible sale of wantaway star Moises Caicedo, but the
Seagulls have managed to strengthen their squad in a variety of departments, recruiting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, defender Igor Julio, midfielders James Milner and Mahmoud Dahoud, teenage winger Adrian Mazilu and forward Joao Pedro.
The potential club-record addition of attacker Mohammed Kudus from Ajax is also understood to be making progress.After picking up just one win from three friendly fixtures in the inaugural Premier League Summer Series in the USA,
Brighton concluded their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw at home against Rayo Vallecano last weekend, with Pedro converting from the penalty spot to force both sides to share the spoils.De Zerbi and co will be confident of making a bright start to the
new Premier League season as they prepare for favourable-looking fixtures against Luton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, and success over the former will see them record their third successive opening-day victory of a league season for the first time since a winning run between 1974-75 and 1976-77.
Ten years ago, Luton Town were seeking to escape the National League at the fourth time of asking, which they ultimately managed to achieve as champions. Now, the Hatters are preparing for life in the English top flight for the first time since 1992 after securing promotion from the Championship via the playoffs last season.
Following an impressive third-placed finish in the second tier under head coach Rob Edwards, who replaced Nathan Jones last November, Luton came out on top in the playoff final at Wembley against Coventry City in an enthralling penalty shootout, and they will now become the 51st different club to play in the Premier League.
Links >> Stream 1 HD Stream 2 HD Stream 3 HD Stream 4 HD
As many as nine new players have arrived at Luton so far this summer, but the Hatters faithful will have to wait a little while to see the fresh faces in action on home soil, as Kenilworth Road undergoes a major makeover
to comply with Premier League requirements – a home clash with Burnley scheduled for August 19 has already been postponed to provide the club with extra time to complete the necessary constructions.
After winning two and drawing two of their opening four friendly fixtures, Luton concluded their pre-season preparations with mixed results in a double-header against German club VfL Bochum – a 2-1 defeat in the first match was followed by a 3-1 victory in the second thanks to goals from Luke Berry (2) and Elijah Adebayo.
Edwards is sure to have his Luton side fired up for their opening game of the new season at Brighton, and the Hatters will endeavour to become the third club in four after Huddersfield Town and Brentford to win their debut match in the Premier League.
