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

Oxford United will be aiming to continue their strong start to the League One season when they travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

The Yellows are third in the table after the first five games of the campaign, while the Dons are 15th.

Match preview

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Following defeat in the playoffs in the last two seasons, Oxford look set to mount another promotion bid this year.

Karl Robinson's side finished 2020-21 in good shape, winning six of their last seven games, and have carried that form into the new campaign with three wins, one draw and one defeat.

James Henry netted a hat-trick last weekend as they won 3-1 against last season's beaten playoff finalists Lincoln City.

With neither Sunderland or Sheffield Wednesday playing this weekend, Oxford would go to the top of the table with victory at Plough Lane.

However, the Yellows are yet to win away from home in five games on the road this season and were thrashed 4-1 at Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

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Like Oxford, Wimbledon have come close to exiting League One in recent years but at the other end of the table, having finished 20th and 19th in the last two seasons.

The Dons started the new campaign well, beating Doncaster Rovers on the opening weekend, but have not won since – drawing three and losing one of their last four league matches.

Last weekend, substitute Jack Rudoni scored a 95th-minute equaliser as they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ipswich Town.

Supporters are back at Plough Lane for the first time in three decades, but Wimbledon are winless in their previous six home games.

Goals at both ends have been almost guaranteed with Mark Robinson's side this season, as they are the third-highest scorers in League One but also have the third-worst defence with no clean sheets to their name.

Wimbledon's 2-1 victory over Oxford in April was their first victory in the last seven meetings between the two sides.

Team News

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No player in Wimbledon's squad has netted more than once this season – their 10 goals in all competitions have been shared by 10 different players, with centre-back Ben Heneghan getting on the scoresheet last week.

Jack Rudoni will be hoping to have earned himself a starting spot in midfield after scoring the equaliser against Ipswich as a substitute.

Karl Robinson made 11 changes for the EFL Trophy game against Cambridge on Tuesday, and after a heavy defeat he should revert back to a lineup more similar to the one that beat Lincoln last weekend.

Luke McNally got sent off against the U's so is unavailable, while Billy Bodin, Sam Long and Jamie Hanson are all injured.

Summer signing Herbie Kane may make his league debut after getting 86 minutes on Tuesday night and Ryan Williams could return from injury.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Lawrence, Heneghan, Nightingale, Alexander; Assal, Woodyard, Hartigan, McCormick; Palmer, Pressley

Oxford United possible starting lineup:

Stevens; Forde, Moore, Thorniley, Seddon; Henry, Gorrin, Brannagan; Sykes, Taylor, Whyte

We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Oxford United

Wimbledon will be desperate to get their first win back at Plough Lane in front of supporters, but we think Oxford will be too strong. The Dons' leaky defence could struggle against one of the most potent attacks in the division.