In the build-up to fixture release day, we are taking a look at each of the teams that are new to the Sky Bet Championship. Welcome, newly-promoted Luton Town.
Nickname: The Hatters
Stadium: Kenilworth Road (10,073)
Manager: Graeme Jones
Recent history
Last season the Bedfordshire-based club finished top of the pile in League One. Managed initially by Nathan Jones and then Mick Harford from January, the Hatters accumulated 94 points to return to the second tier of English football after a period of 12 seasons away.
Three consecutive relegations saw the Hatters tumble down the divisions and out of the English Football League a decade ago, but after five seasons in the non-league Luton were promoted back to League Two.
Successive promotions in the past two seasons mean that next season Albion will face the Hatters in a league fixture for the first time since January 2007.
Current squad
Luton striker James Collins scored 25 goals last term as he finished as the division’s top scorer and claimed a place in the League One team of the season. Full-back James Justin, who is just 19 years old, managed 52 appearances last campaign and also made the team of the season.
Centre-back Matty Pearson, defensive-midfielder Pelly Ruddock-Mpanzu, and right-back Jack Stacey were the three players who completed the most minutes on the pitch for the Hatters last term.
Previous meetings
Albion faced Luton as recently as last season, with the Baggies beating the Hatters 1-0 in the League Cup. Oliver Burke scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.
The only other time that Albion have faced the Hatters this side of the millennium was during the 2006/07 season, where the sides went head-to-head twice during their league campaigns.
The Baggies won 3-2 at home in a thrilling game. Jason Koumas struck the opener just before half-time, but Keith Keane and Warren Feeney both netted to flip the tie in Luton’s favour. However, Kevin Phillips scored a double in the last two minutes of normal time to win the game for Albion.
At Kenilworth Road, Rowan Vine opened the scoring, but Darren Carter equalised just after the half-hour mark for Albion. Two minutes later, Vine put the Hatters ahead once more, but Zoltan Gera scored just after the hour mark to earn the Baggies a point.
Head to head
| Albion | Draws | Luton | |
| League | 20 | 8 | 10 |
| League Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 24 | 9 | 10 |
