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

AFC Wimbledon have the challenging task of hosting League Two title contenders Stevenage this weekend, as the Dons seek a victory that would lift them back in contention for the promotion places.

Stevenage are just four points behind first-place Leyton Orient, as they look to return to League One for the first time since 2013-14.

Match preview

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Despite sitting 12th in the League Two table, AFC Wimbledon are just three points adrift of the playoff places, and come in to the fixture against Stevenage in fine form.

The South London side are coming off a tense 0-0 draw away at Swindon Town, where they held just 33% of possession, but still managed to threaten the home side with 12 shots and restricting the hosts to just one shot on target.

Wimbledon are now undefeated in the last eight League Two fixtures, and even more impressively they have kept a clean sheet in all of their last five domestic matches.

The upturn in results and performances has earned manager Johnnie Jackson the League Two Manager of the Month award for November, collecting seven points from a possible nine in that time.

Jackson's side will be hopeful their strong from will be enough to challenge Stevenage, a side they have never defeated in the Football League.

The blistering form of Steve Evans's Stevenage finally came to a grinding halt in midweek, as they were comprehensively defeated by League One side Portsmouth in the Football League Trophy.

The 3-0 defeat ended a run of six matches undefeated in all competitions, and focus will now shift to the League Two table where they are very much in title contention.

Stevenage are still on an unbeaten run of six matches domestically, and have a five-match run of fixtures without losing on the road.

Team News

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Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson has a clean bill of health heading in to their crucial encounter with Stevenage, and a full squad to pick from.

Wales international Chris Gunter is now back from Qatar and could come in to contention for the clash, if Jackson deems he has had enough time to recover and take part.

Stevenage also have a full squad available for selection as they look to bounce back from their disappointing cup exit.

Danny Rose has impressed and may be pushing for selection after scoring eight goals in all competitions this season, while David Amoo and Luke Norris came off the substitutes' bench against Portsmouth and may be involved from the start on this occasion.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Biler, Kalambayi, Towler, Currie; Woodyard, Maghoma; Chislett, Pell, Assal; Davison

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Sweeney, Piergianni, Earley; Reeves, Campbell, Roberts, Gilbey; Norris, Reid

We say: AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Stevenage

Despite their defeat to a higher calibre of opposition in midweek, Steve Evans's Stevenage side have been prolific throughout their League Two campaign, and we expect them to bounce back against an opponent in their domestic league.

AFC Wimbledon will make life difficult for the Boro with their well-drilled defensive stability, however it may not be enough to stop a Stevenage side striving for the title.

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