AFC Wimbledon begin a two-game stretch at home in League Two by welcoming last-place Sutton United to Plough Lane on Tuesday.
On Friday, the Wombles held onto a 2-1 triumph over Crawley Town, maintaining the final playoff spot in seventh place, while the Us fell nine points below the relegation line, losing 2-0 at home to Mansfield Town.
Match preview
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An early attacking flurry was all the Dons would need to outlast Crawley Town on Friday, scoring with their only two efforts on target and extending their unbeaten run to five matches in all competitions.
Starting fast has been a big part of their 2023-24 domestic success, with 10 of their 35 goal this season coming in the opening half hour.
Since letting a 2-0 half-time advantage versus Crew Alexandra slip away in mid-September (2-2 draw), the Wombats have emerged victorious from their previous 10 competitive fixtures in which they have drawn first blood.
Having narrowly staved off relegation last season, Johnnie Jackson's men are making a push for a promotion as they hit the midway point of the campaign, three points above Bradford City for the final playoff spot.
With 35 points after 22 domestic encounters, they are five points ahead of where they were a season ago, claiming one more victory than they had at this same stage in 2022-23.
Wimbledon have been particularly dominant at Plough Lane since the start of November, winning their last six home matches in all competitions by a combined score of 22-3.
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There was a new face in the dugout for Sutton on Saturday, but the same disappointing side on the field, as they had just a single shot on target.
Jason Goodliffe's men were under siege from the early stages of that encounter, holding off the visitors until the 25th minute, having been outscored now 10-0 in their previous two league contests combined.
Containing the opposition away from home has been a challenge that this side have rarely been up for in 2023-24, with the Yellows conceding three or more goals in six League Two contests this season.
Sutton United have not helped themselves when in possession, giving the ball away countless times while also struggling to defend set-pieces.
That has contributed to their defensive frailties, with this side conceding more goals than anyone in League Two this season (50).
They have lost two of their last three competitive fixtures against Wimbledon, though they came away with a 1-0 victory in their previous domestic visit to Plough Lane last season.
Team News
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Joe Lewis received a second caution just before the hour mark on Friday and will not be available for Wimbledon on Tuesday, with Ryan Johnson and Josh Davison the only two players who began their Football League Trophy match against Portsmouth to keep their place in the starting 11 for the game against Crawley Town.
Davison put them in front after 13 minutes of that contest, with the winner coming courtesy of Ali Al-Hamadi, his team-leading 11th of the campaign, while Alex Bass was terrific between the sticks, stopping six of the seven efforts that he faced to preserve the three points.
Louis John missed another encounter for Sutton this past weekend as he is struggling to return to full fitness since suffering what appeared to be a minor knock.
There were three changes made to their starting 11 on Saturday from the side that began when they were massacred 8-0 by Stockport County, with Rob Milsom, Craig Clay and Omari Patrick coming into the fold, replacing Omar Sowunmi, Dion Pereira and Aiden O'Brien.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Bass; Biler, Pearce, Johnson, Currie; Davison, Little, Reeves, Neufville; Tilley, Al-Hamadi
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Jackson, Kizzi, Hart, Sowunmi; Pereira, Clay, N'Guessan, Patrick; Beautyman; Smith
We say: AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Sutton United
They defended better over the weekend, but Sutton United have yet to show much when in possession, and we do not believe their quality in front of goal will drastically improve by Tuesday.
Hanging back could work for a while against Wimbledon, but we expect the home side to break through eventually, and one might be all it takes to defeat a Sutton side where morale is understandably low at the moment.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
