Matt Upson makes Luton Town promotion prediction involving Burnley and Leeds United | OneFootball

Matt Upson believes Rob Edwards will have Luton Town challenging the likes of Burnley and Leeds United in the automatic promotion race.

Luton Town look as though they could be in for a busy summer in the transfer window, but Matt Upson expects them to be strong again under Rob Edwards in next season's Championship.

The Hatters punched above their weight to earn a place in the top-flight in 2023 and ultimately finished 18th in the table to suffer relegation back to the Championship, but they will be hoping to achieve promotion back at the first time of asking in 2024/25.

There is likely to be a turnover in the squad in the coming months, but Edwards and co. will now be hoping to make improvements to his first-team squad in order to push for promotion once again over the next 12 months.

There will no doubt be some money to spend on bringing players to Kenilworth Road in the coming weeks, especially with departures also likely to raise funds on top of the club being in its first year of parachute payments.

Matt Upson's Luton Town verdict

Matt Upson spent the start of his career with Luton Town before heading to Arsenal, having come through the club's academy in 1996. He would play just twice for them and has since become a pundit after spending most of his career in the Premier League.

FLW asked Upson, if he feels like Edwards and Luton will be among sides like Leeds United and Burnley battling for promotion next season. He said via Luckyblock.com: "Absolutely.

"Rob Edwards is a top coach and, after the year in the Premier League, will have gained so much from that experience that he can return to the Championship and lead Luton Town to a big season and be amongst the teams challenging for automatic promotion.

"Losing [Ross] Barkley will be a big miss, but I believe Luton can invest the squad in this position to be competitive and with the quality in the striker positions, can score enough goals to be right in the mix. "Stability is key and Luton Town had a great experience in the Premier League and Edwards got a lot of praise for his managerial style and can show his potential even further, by guiding Luton Town to a strong season in the Championship and pushing hard for promotion back to the Premier League.

Luton Town in 2024/25

Recently relegated sides tend to fare well in the second tier during their first season, and Luton should be no different for many of the reasons Upson has outlined.

The Hatters come down with a stronger and more experienced team than in 2023, and with Edwards still at the helm as well. It's a recipe for instant success.

Stability and continuity are key factors, and it is less likely that Luton will lose all of their key players than a team like Burnley or Leeds. They should, in theory, be able to hit the ground running next term, albeit sides like Middlesbrough and Coventry City are expected to improve upon last season, too.