AFC Wimbledon will be looking to put an end to their poor run of form when they welcome Walsall to The Cherry Red Records Stadium on Tuesday night in League Two.

The Dons' season is in danger of fizzling out after another defeat last time out, while Walsall will be hoping they can extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Match preview

Wimbledon's winless streak is now at 11 games following a narrow 2-1 defeat at playoff-chasing Barrow on Saturday afternoon, with second-half goals from Josh Gordon and Niall Canavan for the hosts rendering Luke Jenkins's opener irrelevant.

The Dons last tasted League Two victory all the way back in January when promotion hopefuls Stockport County visited London - that success is the only time Wimbledon have earned three points during this calendar year.

It is evidently clear that Johnnie Jackson will not be leading the club back into League One at the first attempt following relegation from the third tier last campaign - the club will have one eye on how to ensure they can bounce back next season.

Jackson's side are languishing in 18th in the League Two standings, holding an 11-point advantage over 23rd-placed Hartlepool United, meaning the Dons should not be dragged into any sort of relegation battle despite their abysmal form.

Walsall are a club who know how difficult it is to return to League One after relegation, and the West Midlands outfit look set for a fifth-straight season at this level with their hopes of mounting a playoff push failing to materialise.

The Saddlers arguably have the components of a team who could earn a top-seven berth, but a 12-game winless spell stretching from January into this month is the type of run more suited to relegation fodder.

Michael Flynn's men are currently 13th in the League Two standings, 12 points behind the playoffs with just nine matches left to play - it would take something extraordinary to see Walsall fans walking down Wembley Way in May.

Walsall have been hindered by their inefficiency in front of goal this season, having scored only 39 goals in their 37 league matches - the Saddlers' top scorer Isaac Hutchinson has just five strikes to his name.

Team News

Wimbledon boss Jackson has confirmed in the build-up to Tuesday's match that defender Paul Kalambayi will miss the remainder of the campaign after undergoing knee surgery.

That absence will leave the Dons light in defence for the rest of the season, with Jenkins and Will Nightingale appearing to be the preferred centre-back partnership.

Walsall will be without defender Liam Gordon for the trip to Wimbledon on Tuesday - the 23-year-old is currently away on duty for Guyana in the CONCACAF Nations League.

The Saddlers could also be without Joe Low after he featured for Wales Under-21s against Scotland in Spain on Sunday, potentially leaving the visitors short in defensive areas.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Broome; Ogundere, Nightingale, Jenkins, Currie; Woodyard, Marsh, McAteer, Little, Chislett; Janneh

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Evans; Riley, Daniels, McEntee, Monthe; Kinsella, Comley, Hutchinson, Maddox; Knowles, Wilkinson

We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Walsall

Wimbledon were booed by sections of their away following after the defeat at Barrow on Saturday, so they will be desperate to put on a good show in front of their home faithful in this one.

Walsall know the playoffs are almost certainly unattainable this season, and we cannot imagine the Saddlers earning their first League Two away win in 2023 on Tuesday night.


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