AFC Wimbledon and Walsall are set to clash in a pivotal League Two playoff final on Monday at Wembley, aiming for promotion to the third tier of English football. The Dons secured their spot in the final after defeating Notts County, while the Saddlers bested Chesterfield in their semi-finals.
AFC Wimbledon finished the regular season in fourth place with a record of 20 wins, 13 draws, and 13 losses, culminating their campaign with a recent 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town. Their playoff semi-final saw them maintain excellent form by recording two consecutive 1-0 wins, thanks to goals from Riley Harbottle and Josh Neufville. Having kept three consecutive clean sheets, Wimbledon boasts the best defensive record in the league, with only 35 goals conceded throughout the season. However, a concern remains as the team has not scored more than one goal in their last 10 matches, although they have consistently found the net in all their EFL playoff appearances.
On the other hand, Walsall’s season has been somewhat turbulent. They enjoyed a promising start, initially leading the League Two table by 12 points after 24 matches. A dip in form, exacerbated by the absence of top goalscorer Nathan Lowe due to a loan recall, saw them fail to secure automatic promotion. Nonetheless, Walsall demonstrated resilience by achieving back-to-back victories over Chesterfield in the semi-finals, securing a 2-0 win away and a 2-1 victory at home.
Historically, Walsall has reason for optimism as they are aiming to end their six-year absence from League One. They are familiar foes for Wimbledon, having secured four points against them this season, including a 1-0 victory in November and a 1-1 draw in March.
Team news indicates that AFC Wimbledon will miss experienced defender Sam Hutchinson due to heart surgery, while Walsall may be without defender Priestley Farquharson and forward Ellis Harrison. Each team will likely stick with the lineups that brought them success in the semi-finals.
Predictions suggest a competitive match, with the dynamics favoring Walsall’s attacking prowess against Wimbledon’s strong defense. The possible scoreline projected is AFC Wimbledon 1 – 2 Walsall.
As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, fans on both sides will be hoping for a memorable match that could mark a significant step in securing league advancement.