In what could be a decisive encounter in the race for promotion from League Two, AFC Wimbledon will host Chesterfield at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Friday.
The home side are fifth with 69 points and occupy the second of four promotion playoff spots, while Chesterfield are in ninth place with 62 points and are four points and two places from the final playoff spot following their 3-0 win against Fleetwood Town on April 12.
Match preview
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Wimbledon emerged with a point last Saturday after drawing 1-1 with fourth-placed Doncaster Rovers, a game in which they led after five minutes but were reduced to 10 men just before the half-hour mark.
While the hosts deserve credit for earning a point, Doncaster's 79th-minute equaliser means they have only kept two clean sheets in their past 11 outings, though their record of 32 goals conceded in the league makes them the best defensive side in the fourth tier.
Boss Johnnie Jackson will know that a victory on Friday could take his side level on points with third-placed Walsall, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot, and it would put his team in a strong position to challenge for a place in the top three in the final three games of the season.
However, Jackson may be concerned by the Dons' form heading into their next clash given they have only triumphed once in their last five, settling for draws on three occasions and scoring just one goal in each of their past four.
Wimbledon's home record has also been mixed, with the club winning two, drawing two and suffering two defeats in their six most recent fixtures at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
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Opponents Chesterfield failed to produce a single shot from inside the box or on target in the first half against Fleetwood Town, but they created two big chances and mustered seven attempts from inside the penalty are in a dominant second-half display.
Their win was the third time that they had prevented opposition teams from scoring in their last six matches, the same number of times as they managed in their prior 13.
The Spireites beat Wimbledon 1-0 in the reverse fixture on December 12, and they have in fact only lost one of their last seven clashes against their hosts, winning four times.
Though head coach Paul Cook has overseen just one win in his last three games – losing once – his side were undefeated in their previous six, achieving victory on five occasions.
Chesterfield were beaten 4-0 by Tranmere Rovers on April 5 in their most recent away match, but they won each of their prior three on the road by a cumulative score of 7-1.
Team News
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Wimbledon midfielder Jake Reeves is suspended due to the red card he received against Doncaster Rovers, and his absence makes Callum Maycock the most probable candidate to partner Alistair Smith given he was brought on as a substitute shortly after Reeves's dismissal.
Riley Harbottle, Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson started in a back three last time out, and they will likely retain their places in front of goalkeeper Owen Goodman.
Striker Omar Bugiel is almost certain to feature up front, and he may be supported in attack by Mathew Stevens and Josh Kelly.
Meanwhile, the visitors could field Jensen Metcalfe and John Fleck in a double pivot ahead of centre-backs Ashley Palmer and Kyle McFadzean.
However, attackers Ryan Colclough and Armando Dobra were both forced off due to injuries against Fleetwood, so perhaps Ollie Banks and Dylan Duffy will come into the XI.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Harbottle, Lewis, Johnson; Neufville, Maycock, Smith, Tilley; Stevens, Kelly; Bugiel
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Boot; Mandeville, Palmer, McFadzean, Gordon; Metcalfe, Fleck; Olakigbe, Banks, Duffy; Grigg
We say: AFC Wimbledon 2-2 Chesterfield
Wimbledon may play cautiously given they will not want to risk losing their playoff spot, but their timidness could be to the benefit of Chesterfield.
The visitors' form on the road has been fairly strong, though they may have to settle for a point considering the hosts have not often lost in the past weeks
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
