Preview: Rotherham United vs. AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

Separated by just two points in the table following the weekend's League One action, Rotherham United welcome AFC Wimbledon to the New York Stadium on Tuesday evening.

While the hosts are unbeaten in three games, their visitors have lost all of their three most recent outings, as they stutter following a fine start to the 2021-22 campaign.

Match preview

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Rotherham were only denied a second successive victory on Saturday by a late implosion, which saw the Millers concede a stoppage-time penalty and have Wes Harding sent off.

The successful late spot-kick from Chris Porter earned Crewe a point in a 1-1 draw, after the hosts had dominated most of the game - firing in 23 shots to their opponents' tally of three - but failed to make their supremacy pay.

The South Yorkshire side now have the opportunity to put things right in their second home fixture in the space of three days, as they meet Wimbledon in midweek.

Coming into Tuesday's match, Paul Warne's men sit fifth in the League One standings, and look in good shape to make an immediate return to the Championship next spring.

However, after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in their last away fixture, they have picked up just one point from a possible six at the New York Stadium, having surprisingly lost their previous home game 4-2 to Fleetwood Town.

Therefore, former United midfielder Warne will be keen to improve matters in front of the Rotherham fans, and take maximum points against one of the sides alongside them in the early jostle for a place near the League One summit.

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Wimbledon, meanwhile, were unable to move above the Millers in the table at the weekend, as despite bossing the ball they lost to struggling Shrewsbury.

Ultimately beaten by Shrews substitute Daniel Udoh's header - after he emerged from the bench to complete the home side's comeback victory - in the end, Dapo Mebude's first-half breakaway goal on the counter was not enough to prevent the Wombles from falling to a frustrating 2-1 defeat.

Having expectedly been outclassed in their previous fixture - an EFL Cup tie with Arsenal when goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah helped the Gunners win 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium - and also lost their last league game at home to Plymouth, they are now in need of a quick pick-me-up.

Mark Robinson's side had been building some impressive momentum before last weekend, with a five-game unbeaten run in which they had found the net 12 times during victories over Oxford United, Portsmouth and Morecambe, so know that they can certainly threaten a Rotherham defence which has fared far better than their own so far this term.

With an emphasis on getting forward when possible, Wimbledon have now leaked a total of 15 league goals but have also bagged 16 themselves - making them the division's second-highest scorers.

Team News

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Rotherham have some fitness concerns after the quick turnaround between fixtures, and will hope that Freddie Ladapo, who only recently rejoined training and featured from the bench on Saturday, will be available for selection against Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Mickel Miller could stay sidelined by a hamstring strain.

Paul Warne must also make do without Wes Harding, who is suspended after being sent off for a second bookable offence at the weekend.

However, Chiedozie Ogbene, who only managed the first 45 minutes a week previously, is back up and running and should feature on the flank, with summer signing Will Grigg again leading the line up front.

Wimbledon will be without striker Ollie Palmer for a significant period, after it was confirmed he faces an injury lay-off that may keep him out until November.

Palmer's grade two calf strain means that he joins Paul Kalambayi, who is suffering from a similar issue, on the treatment table for the away side. Therefore, Aaron Pressley will have to bear the burden up front, with support from Dapo Mebude and Ayoub Assal.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Edmonds-Green, Wood, Mattock; Ogbene, Barlaser, Bola, Rathbone, Ferguson; Smith, Grigg

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Alexander, Heneghan, Nightingale, Guinness-Walker; Hartigan, Woodyard; Mebude, McCormick, Assal; Pressley

We say: Rotherham United 3-1 AFC Wimbledon

Rotherham can take out their frustration at Saturday's slip-up on a flaky Wimbledon side, who regularly entertain but are short of defensive resilience.

Boasting several players capable of playing above this third-tier level, the Millers will put right their recent errors at home and establish themselves inside the early-season top six.