AFC Wimbledon will be hoping to bounce back from defeat last weekend when they host strugglers Carlisle United on Saturday at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in League Two.
The home side are in 13th place with 13 points but have only played seven games and have three in hand on 10 of the clubs above them, while the away team are third last in 22nd place with seven points after 10 matches.
Match preview
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The hosts beat League One side Crawley 4-3 last time out on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy, though they only won due to Joe Pigott‘s 96th-minute winner after their three-goal lead had been wiped out when they conceded three times between the 71st and 87th minutes.
AFC Wimbledon lost 1-0 in their most recent league match against Salford on October 5, a match in which they limited their opponents to low-quality chances but still lost after conceding in the 84th minute.
Manager Johnnie Jackson said that he did not want to be too critical of his side and even went as far as saying his team deserved more from the game, while also stating that he believed Salford forward Kelly N’Mai should have been sent off for a dangerous foul on Joe Lewis.
Though Jackson’s side are 13th, he will be pleased that his team are just six points from first-placed Walsall while having three games in hand.
The Dons have only won once in their last four games, though prior to these fixtures they had won seven of their previous eight matches.
Wimbledon’s home record this season has been flawless given they have won all five of their games at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, scoring 11 times and conceding just four goals.
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Meanwhile, Carlisle United come into the clash having lost 2-0 against Wigan Athletic last time out on Tuesday in the EFL Trophy, a fixture that they only managed to produce one shot in.
The visitors are in poor form considering they have lost 10 of their 13 matches this term, including three of their last four.
In their most recent league match, the Blues drew 0-0 with Colchester United on October 5, and boss Mike Williamson said that he thought his team were outstanding in the first half.
Williamson’s side are perhaps unfortunate that they are in 22nd place considering they have produced the 12th most xG and conceded the 10th most xG in League Two.
Carlisle drew one and won one of their last two away games, but they lost the previous four matches on the road, conceding 11 and scoring two in that time.
AFC Wimbledon League Two form:
AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):
Carlisle United League Two form:
Carlisle United form (all competitions):
Team News
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Wimbledon will be unable to select Joe Lewis, who is set for a spell on the sidelines after being forced off due to an injury against Salford.
Boss Jackson could name midfielder James Ball in the XI in place of Lewis and switch from a back three to a back four.
Alistair Smith, Jake Reeves and Myles Hippolyte could start in a midfield four alongside Josh Neufville.
The visitors will be without Terell Thomas, who is on international duty with Saint Lucia, while Jordan Jones picked up an injury against Colchester.
Carlisle have a number of absentees, including defenders Aaron Hayden and Ben Williams, as well as midfielders Ethan Robson and Dylan McGeouch.
Forwards Georgie Kelly and Dan Adu-Adjei are also expected to miss out, though Callum Guy and Taylor Charters made their comebacks from injury on Tuesday.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Ball, Harbottle, Ogundere, Furlong; Neufville. Smith, Reeves, Hippolyte; Pigott, Bugiel
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Lavelle, Thomas, Mellish, Davies; Neal, Biggins, Harper; Vela, Wyke, Armstrong
Considering that Carlisle are dealing with numerous injury absentees, it would not be surprising if Wimbledon were able to take advantage of the visitors’ lack of cohesiveness.
Additionally, the hosts have a strong record at home this season, and they should come into Saturday’s match as clear favourites.
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