AFC Wimbledon will be looking to move into the automatic playoff places when they visit the Wham Stadium to face Accrington Stanley in round 31 of the League Two on Saturday.
Having gone unbeaten in each of the last four meetings between the sides, the home side will head into the weekend looking to extend their recent dominance over the Dons and pull clear of the danger zone.
Match preview
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Accrington Stanley were condemned to their league defeat away from home in the new year as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Port Vale when the two sides squared off at the Vale Park last Saturday.
Despite playing with 10 men for most of the game after Thomas Sang received an early bath in the 13th minute, Port Vale got the job done as Jayden Stockley and Lorent Tolaj netted on either side of Tyler Watson's 51st-minute equaliser to leave the visitors empty handed.
Before that, Accrington Stanley picked up two wins from their two games on the road in 2025, seeing off Colchester United 2-0 at the Colchester Community Stadium on January 4, three weeks before claiming a 1-0 victory at Crewe Alexandra.
John Doolan's men now return to the Wham Stadium, where they have failed to win six of their most recent seven league matches — losing three and claiming three draws — with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Grimsby Town on New Year's Day being the exception.
Accrington have now lost 12 of their 27 League Two matches this season while picking up seven wins and eight draws to collect 29 points and sit 21st in the standings, just six points above the relegation zone.
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AFC Wimbledon, on the other hand, continue to charge on in their quest for automatic promotion as they held on to see out a 1-0 victory over Bradford City last weekend.
James Tilley came up trumps for the home side as he netted the only goal at the Cherry Red Records Stadium after just 12 minutes before they turned in a solid defensive display to protect their lead and snap Bradford's run of five straight victories.
Wimbledon have now gone seven back-to-back games without defeat in the league, picking up four wins and three draws while scoring eight goals and keeping four clean sheets since December's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Chesterfield.
This fine run of results has put Johnnie Jackson's men in contention for a top-three finish as they now sit fourth in the league standings, level on 48 points with Crewe and Port Vale, and two points off third-placed Notts County in the final automatic promotion spot.
While Wimbledon could move into the top three with a win this weekend, they will need to be at their best at the Wham Stadium as they have failed to win all but one of their last five away matches, a run which saw them crash out of the EFL Trophy in the second round courtesy of a 2-0 loss against Colchester on December 10.
Team News
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Accrington will take to the pitch without Australian defender Jay Rich-Baghuelou, who continues his long road to full fitness while Sebastian Quirk has been sidelined since September through injury.
Zachariah Awe has missed each of the last four matches since picking up an injury following the 4-0 defeat against Liverpool in the FA Cup third round and the 21-year-old will play no part in this weekend's clash.
Josh Woods is also a major doubt for the home sides, having missed each of the last three matches due to injury, while Welsh forward Charlie Caton has also been ruled out since coming off injured against Notts County on January 18.
AFC Wimbledon, on the other hand, remain without the services of 20-year-old defender Ethan Sutcliffe, who has been ruled out since picking up a severe injury back in August.
Fellow Englishman Ryan McLean also continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines while 24-year-old Riley-Jay Harbottle is set to sit out his fourth straight game through injury.
They are joined on the club's injury table by James Ball and Callum Maycock while 35-year-old midfielder Sam Hutchinson has missed each of the last two games after sustaining a back injury against MK Dons on January 25.
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Crellin; Ward, Rawson, Aljofree; Batty, Wood, Coyle, Love; Hunter, Walley, Mooney
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Ogundere, Lewis, Johnson; Neufville, Reeves, Smith, Tilley; Stevens, Bugiel, Kelly
We say: Accrington Stanley 0-2 AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon have flown out of the blocks this year as they aim for a strong second half of the season in their bid for automatic promotion to League One.
Accrington have struggled for consistency this season and while we expect them to put up a fight in front of their home supporters, we are backing the Dons to come away with the desired result.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
