MX23RW : Thursday, December 15 23:02:08| >> :120:24106:24106:
[monks data]
Dec 3, 2022 at 12.30pm UK at The Cherry Red Records Stadium
AFC Wimbledon
1 - 0
Grimsby Town
Chislett (60')
Biler (34'), Kalambayi (49'), Pell (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Simmonds (78')

Preview: AFC Wimbledon vs. Grimsby Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between AFC Wimbledon and Grimsby Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

AFC Wimbledon will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to seven matches when they face Grimsby Town on Saturday.

The visitors, on the other hand, have not won any of their last five league games.


Match preview

AFC Wimbledon team huddle before the match on January 11, 2022© Reuters

Having suffered relegation from League One last season, Wimbledon started life in the EFL's bottom tier under their new boss Johnnie Jackson.

However, the former Charlton Athletic manager and player has slowly turned things around at Plough Lane, with 14 points from their last six matches moving them within five points of the playoff positions ahead of this weekend's action.

There was disappointment last time out, though, as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield Town in the second round of the FA Cup, meaning that the Dons missed out on potentially being drawn against Premier League opponents in the third round draw, which took place earlier this week.

Jackson may be privately pleased that his side can fully focus on continuing their excellent run in League Two, though, with the 40-year-old surely fancying his side's chances on Saturday given the two teams' contrasting form.

Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst before the match on August 23, 2022© Reuters

Indeed, after adapting to life in League Two extremely quickly following their remarkable promotion via the National League playoffs last season, there is little doubt that Grimsby have dipped in recent weeks.

Just two points being collected from their last five games has seen Paul Hurst's side drop to 16th in the table prior to their lengthy trip to London this weekend, although they would jump above their opponents - and potentially into the top half - if they can end their winless run.

Unlike their forthcoming opponents, the Mariners managed to progress to the third round of the FA Cup by securing an impressive 2-1 win away to Cambridge United last weekend, and they will fancy their chances of reaching the fourth round for the first time in 23 years having been drawn at home against Burton Albion.

In the meantime, though, the former Ipswich Town boss will be keen to ensure that his team's poor league form comes to an end as quickly as possible, and having won five times on the road already in League Two this season, there is every chance that happens on Saturday.

AFC Wimbledon League Two form:


AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):


Grimsby Town League Two form:


Grimsby Town form (all competitions):



Team News

Grimsby Town's Jordan Maquire-Drew celebrates scoring their first goal on January 3, 2022© Reuters

Jackson only made one change for his side's defeat to Chesterfield in the FA Cup last weekend, with Huseyin Biler likely to return at left back in place of Jack Currie.

Harry Pell, George Marsh and Ryley Towler are all walking a disciplinary tight rope as they are only one yellow card away from incurring a one-match suspension.

Hurst, on the other hand, made several changes for his team's surprise victory away to League One outfit Cambridge, and he may be tempted to reward the same starting XI by going again unchanged.

Otis Khan will be hoping to be the hero once again having bagged a brace against the U's, including a last-minute winner to send his side through to the third round of England's primary cup competition.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Ogundere, Kalambayi, Towler, Biler; Woodyard, Maghoma; Chislett, Pell, Assal; Davison

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Efete, Waterfall, Maher, Amos; Kiernan, Green, Holohan, Clifton; McAtee, Khan


SM words green background

We say: AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Grimsby Town

Grimsby are bound to win in League Two sooner rather than later, and they showed their prowess on the road once again last weekend by stunning Cambridge in the FA Cup.

Wimbledon have been on a strong run recently, but we have a sneaky feeling their unbeaten run may be coming to an end on Saturday.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: AFC Wimbledon vs Grimsby Town

AFC Wimbledon
66.7%
Draw
6.7%
Grimsby Town
26.7%
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6Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2089331211033
7Bradford CityBradford209652620633
8Swindon TownSwindon218852421332
9Salford City209472318531
10Doncaster RoversDoncaster219482427-331
11Walsall208662517830
12AFC Wimbledon218672524130
13Stockport CountyStockport208482922728
14Grimsby Town207672220227
15Tranmere RoversTranmere217682018227
16Sutton UnitedSutton217591926-726
17Crewe AlexandraCrewe196761822-425
18Newport CountyNewport2164112024-422
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20Harrogate TownHarrogate2054112430-619
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22Hartlepool UnitedHartlepool2136121839-2115
23Colchester UnitedColchester2135131829-1114
24Gillingham202810624-1814

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