AFC Wimbledon host Newport County at Plough Lane on Boxing Day, in the latest round of League Two fixtures.
The Dons are in 12th place but only trail the playoff positions by three points, while County are in 18th place after a disappointing run of form in recent matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
After a slow start to the season, Wimbledon's league form has finally started to pick up, and they are now on an eight-game unbeaten streak, stretching back to a 1-0 defeat against Sutton United in the middle of October.
While the Dons had been struggling defensively, at one stage this season going 15 games without keeping a clean sheet, they have really started to click in recent matches, not allowing their opponents to score in their last five league games.
During that time, Johnnie Jackson's side also recorded a very encouraging 2-0 victory against league leaders Leyton Orient at Plough Lane, becoming just the second side to beat the O's in League Two all season.
In their last league outing, Wimbledon had the better of the chances in an away trip to Swindon Town, having six shots on target compared to a figure of one recorded by the home side, but they had to settle for a point, with the game finishing 0-0.
Due to the Dons' away fixture against Stevenage being postponed, they will not have played in League Two for over two weeks when they host Newport on Boxing Day, but they did have an outing in the EFL Trophy in midweek, losing on penalties after a 3-3 draw with Plymouth Argyle.
It is fair to say that Newport are enduring a mid-season slump, losing five of their last seven matches in all competitions, while also being knocked out of both the FA Cup and the EFL Trophy in that time.
In truth, the Exiles' form has been hit and miss all season, never really managing to put together a consistent winning run, but they have managed to display, at times, that there is quality within the squad.
As previously mentioned, Orient have lost just twice in League Two all season, and the other time they lost was against Newport at the start of October, with the Welsh side emerging 2-1 victors after goals from Will Evans and Omar Bogle in the first half.
While this win could have acted as a turning point for James Rowberry's side, they went on to lose their next three, with Rowberry being dismissed and replaced with Graham Coughlan.
However, Coughlan has so far not managed to fare much better than his predecessor, with a lacklustre display at Rodney Parade last time out summing up his stint in charge so far, as Newport fell to a 1-0 defeat against Doncaster Rovers, managing just one shot on target in the process.
Team News
Wimbledon have no fresh injury concerns to contend with, so Johnnie Jackson may well stick with the team that secured a point in their last League Two fixture against Swindon.
Josh Davison is the Dons' top scorer in the league this season with six goals to his name, and he should lead the line again, with Harry Pell just behind.
Providing further support will be Ayoub Assal, who has five goals and two assists in League Two this term, on the left, and Ethan Chislett on the opposite flank.
With Newport failing to score in their last match, Graham Coughlan could freshen things up in attack, giving Offrande Zanzala his first league start since August.
The DR Congo national would be replacing Will Evans in the starting lineup, who has not scored since October, partnering Omar Bogle, who has seven league goals to his name during this campaign.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Biler, Kalambayi, Towler, Currie; Maghoma, Woodyard, Chislett, Pell, Assal; Davison
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Day; Drysdale, Farquharson, Demetriou; Norman, Moriah-Welsh, Bennett, Waite, Lewis; Bogle, Zanzala
We say: AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Newport County
It is never really clear which Newport County side are going to turn up, given their inconsistent form in League Two this season, so it would not be a surprise if they managed to emerge victorious on Boxing Day.
However, the most likely result is a comprehensive win for AFC Wimbledon, given their recent uptick in form.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
