Two teams moving in different directions are set to come together when AFC Wimbledon host Swindon Town at Kingsmeadow in a Boxing Day League Two clash on Thursday.
The hosts are sixth in the table with 33 points from 20 matches, while the visitors are 21st in the standings with 19 points from their 21 league games.
Match preview
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The 2021-22 season marked a significant setback for AFC Wimbledon, as they suffered relegation to League Two—a bitter pill to swallow after six seasons away from the fourth tier.
Their return to League Two was fraught with struggles, narrowly avoiding a further drop to the fifth division – however, the 2023-24 campaign saw a remarkable turnaround, with the Wombles finishing in a commendable 10th place and sparking renewed optimism for a swift return to League One.
This season, under the stewardship of Johnnie Jackson, Wimbledon are firmly focused on promotion, whether achieved automatically or through the playoffs, and their strong start has kept them in the playoff positions, currently trailing Doncaster Rovers—occupants of the final automatic promotion spot—by just three points.
A 1-0 defeat to Chesterfield in their most recent outing ended a four-match unbeaten streak, but the Wombles have the perfect opportunity to bounce back against an opponent they have generally outperformed this season.
That said, a mixed recent record against Thursday's visitors—one win and two losses in their last four encounters—calls for caution – however, the memory of victory in their most recent clash with Swindon Town offers a source of encouragement.
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For Swindon Town, earning anything from this game would be seen as a triumph, given their ongoing battle to avoid replicating last season's struggles, when they finished nine points clear of relegation.
The Robins currently sit just four points above the drop zone, having lost nearly half of their 21 league matches so far, and defensively, they remain fragile, with 35 goals conceded—the third-highest tally in the division.
Their poor start to the season led to the dismissal of Mark Kennedy, appointed in May, with Ian Holloway stepping into the managerial role in October.
Recent weeks have brought a glimmer of hope for Swindon, who have won two of their last three league matches – their latest triumph, a 3-1 victory over Grimsby, lifted them out of the relegation places and provided a much-needed morale boost.
However, with the worst points average on the road in the division, Swindon must deliver an inspired away performance on Boxing Day to avoid their renewed optimism being short-lived.
Team News
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Wimbledon could be without Myles Hippolyte and Joe Lewis, as both players remain doubtful due to ongoing injury concerns.
Mathew Stevens, who has been in sensational form since joining from Forest Green Rovers in the summer, has netted 11 goals in 20 appearances, placing him at the top of the League Two scoring chart, and he will be eager to extend his impressive run with another goal in this fixture.
Swindon, on the other hand, have no injury or suspension issues to contend with and may opt to field an unchanged line-up following their victory over Grimsby.
Harry Smith, the team's leading scorer with eight league goals, and Kabongo Tshimanga, who bagged a brace in their last outing, are expected to continue as the front pairing, aiming to build on their recent success.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Goodman; Ogundere, Toole, Johnson; Neufville, Smith, Hutchinson, Tilley; Kelly, Stevens; Pigott
Swindon Town possible starting lineup:
Barden; Sobowale, Wright, Delaney, Hall, Cox; Cotterill, Kilkenny, Clarke; Smith, Tshimanga
We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Swindon Town
Given that this is a contest between the league's second-strongest home side and the joint-weakest away side, we believe Wimbledon are well-positioned for a straightforward victory.
Adding to their determination is the need to bounce back swiftly from their recent defeat, providing them with extra motivation to secure all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
