Fighting for a place in League One, Notts County will welcome AFC Wimbledon to Meadow Lane on Saturday for the first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final.
The Magpies finished narrowly behind the Dons in the table, but both teams will be hoping to put their poor ends to the season out of mind with a win.
Match preview
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Stuart Maynard's Notts are dreaming of a return to the third tier for the first time since 2015, though they will have to forget their disappointing close to the campaign that featured just one win in their final six games if they are to make the playoff final.
Most recently, the Magpies fell to a 2-1 defeat against Doncaster Rovers, who clinched the title that day, and though their spot in the top seven was already secure, the result dropped County down to sixth and concerningly marked their fourth loss since the start of April.
That being said, having made the playoffs in six of the last eight seasons, Maynard's side will be feeling confident that their experience can help them cope with the increased pressure that the semi-final will bring.
Additionally, Notts may have only won one of their six clashes against the other playoff clubs across their 46-game season, but they could take heart from the fact that it was a 1-0 triumph over this weekend's opponents back in October.
However, fans would be forgiven for harbouring doubts given that the hosts have lost three on the bounce at Meadow Lane ahead of Saturday's semi-final, and with only one win from their last seven at home - a stretch going back to February - they will have to defy their form to have any chance of playing in League One in 2025-26.
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Meanwhile, Johnnie Jackson's Wimbledon ended their league term fifth in the table with 73 points, one in front of their opponents, but after triumphing in just one of their final five matches, they will need to recapture their mid-season form if they are to earn promotion.
Last time out, the Dons secured their spot in the playoffs with a tense 1-0 victory on the road to hopefuls Grimsby Town, and the manager argued in the buildup to this weekend that taking all three points under such pressure will serve them well.
The former Magpies player also remarked that strong performances in high-profile cup clashes against the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United will have helped to prepare his players mentally for the occasion of the semi-final.
Adding to this feeling of preparedness is the fact that Wimbledon won the most recent meeting between the sides back in March, when two first-half goals from Joe Lewis and Alistair Smith brought them an important victory.
Nevertheless, with just two wins from their last 12 away games, including two draws and two losses across their last five, Saturday's visitors will be happy to take a level scoreline back to the Cherry Red Records Stadium for the second leg.
Team News
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Notts may be without midfielder George Abbott after he was taken off with an injury late on against Doncaster, and Jack Hinchy could take his place alongside Matt Palmer if he is unavailable this weekend.
Up top, striker Alassana Jatta will be supported by Conor Grant and Charlie Whitaker from their attacking midfield positions, while Kellan Jordan and Jodi Jones provide width from wing-back.
As for Wimbledon, boss Jackson emphasised the need for defensive solidity when speaking to the press, and a back three of Riley Harbottle, Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson should start in front of shot-stopper Owen Goodman.
In the centre of the park, Sam Hutchinson, Jake Reeves and Alistair Smith will be looking to provide a platform for the Dons, flanked by wing-backs James Tilley and Josh Neufville.
A strike partnership of Marcus Browne and Mathew Stevens will be hoping to earn the visitors a lead to protect in the second leg, but Omar Bugiel and Josh Kelly will be ready to come off the bench to add more firepower if necessary.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Bass; McDonald, Platt, Bedeau; Gordon, Hinchy, Palmer, Jones; Grant, Whitaker; Jatta
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Rodgers, Tharme, Warren; McEachran; Svanporsson, Green, Khouri, Hume; Rose, Obikwu
We say: Notts County 1-1 AFC Wimbledon
Both Notts and Wimbledon ended the season in similarly poor form, and considering that they were only separated by a single point after 46 matches, expect to see a close game this weekend.
However, given that each team won their home fixture against the other during 2024-25's League Two campaign, the Dons would do well to walk away with the score level after the first leg.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
