Two teams struggling for wins in League One will lock horns at Plough Lane on Tuesday night, as AFC Wimbledon host Cheltenham Town.
Wimbledon will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, while Cheltenham held high-flying Wigan Athletic to a goalless draw on the same afternoon.
Match preview
Wimbledon's winless run in League One stretched to eight matches on Saturday afternoon, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Shrewsbury on home soil, with Dominic Udoh cancelling out an early effort from Ayoub Assal.
Not since December 7 have the Dons been victorious in the league - a 2-0 success at Accrington Stanley - but they have shared the points in four of their last five, which has left them in 20th spot in the table.
Mark Robinson's side are only one point clear of 21st-placed Morecambe but are also just four points behind 16th-placed Shrewsbury, which is an indication of how quickly things can change in the third tier.
Wimbledon, who finished 19th in League One last season, have struggled in front of their own supporters this term, picking up just 14 points from 13 matches, which is the third-worst home record in the division.
Three of the team's next four League One matches are at Plough Lane, which will be a slight concern, but Cheltenham have not travelled particularly well this term, collecting just 11 points from 13 away fixtures.
The visitors, as mentioned, will enter the contest off the back of a goalless draw with Wigan, who were knocked off top spot after failing to triumph on Saturday afternoon.
Cheltenham, like Wimbledon, have drawn four of their last five matches in League One, with their last success in the third tier of English football coming away to Gillingham towards the end of November.
Michael Duff's side have won seven, drawn 11 and lost 10 of their 28 league matches this season to collect 32 points, which has left them in 17th position in the table.
The Robins are only four points clear of the relegation zone and would certainly be pulled into trouble if they were to lose to Wimbledon on Tuesday evening; Doncaster Rovers and Gillingham are being cut adrift at the bottom of the division, but there are still a number of teams looking nervously over their shoulder.
- L
- D
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
- D
- D
- D
- L
- D
Team News
Wimbledon did not pick up any fresh injury problems during their 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury on Saturday, but it would not be a surprise to see head coach Robinson freshen his XI.
Anthony Hartigan could come into the side in place of Ethan Chislett, while Aaron Cosgrave is pushing for involvement in the final third of the field.
New signing Lee Brown made his first start against Shrewsbury and is expected to retain his spot in the first XI for Tuesday's contest in London.
As for Cheltenham, Ben Williams will be missing through suspension, having been sent off against Wigan last time out, which will open the door for Lewis Freestone to come into the starting side.
The visitors are also expected to be without the services of Dan Nlundulu following his first-half withdrawal at the weekend, so Kion Etete could join Alfie May in the final third of the field.
The side could otherwise be unchanged from the one that featured against Wigan, although Elliott Bonds might come in for Conor Thomas in the middle of the park.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Osew, Heneghan, Nightingale, Brown; McCormick, Marsh; Rudoni, Hartigan, Assal; Ablade
Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:
Evans; Raglan, Pollock, Boyle; Blair, Sercombe, Bonds, Wright, Freestone; May, Etete
We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Cheltenham Town
These two sides have drawn plenty of matches in recent weeks, and we were close to backing another stalemate on Tuesday night. Wimbledon are due a victory, though, and we believe that the home side will edge a tight contest to secure a vital three points here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
