AFC Wimbledon could leapfrog Stockport County in the League Two table when they host the Hatters at Plough Lane on Saturday afternoon.
The Dons are 13th in the table, two points behind the visitors, who currently occupy 10th place.
Match preview
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Wimbledon's inconsistency has been the main reason why they have so far been unable to maintain a sustained push for the playoff places, now trailing the top seven by five points.
The Dons have shown some promising signs at times, defeating league-leaders Leyton Orient 2-0 back in November, while also looking very good in a victory by the same scoreline away at Tranmere Rovers.
However, in their last seven matches in all competitions, Johnnie Jackson's side have won on just one occasion, with this coming against Colchester United, who were in 22nd place at the time.
Goals have started to become an issue in recent weeks, with Wimbledon struggling to break down Crewe Alexandra in their most recent away match, firing just one effort on target in the entire match.
Last time out, the Dons had a similar problem at home against Bradford City, despite their opponents having 10 men for over half an hour, drawing 0-0 for the second game on the spin.
Stockport made a slow start to their first season back in League Two, but they have really started to click since the end of October, and they are now just three points off the top seven, while they also have a game in hand.
The Hatters' 1-0 victory against Wimbledon in September was one of very few wins at the beginning of the campaign, but they have shown their mettle in recent weeks, comfortably defeating the likes of Walsall and Northampton Town.
What will be really pleasing for manager David Challinor is the fact that his side have improved considerably in a defensive sense, conceding just one goal in their last six League Two matches.
This improved solidity at the back was again on display in their last game, against Bradford, although Stockport failed to threaten on the front foot, with just one of their 12 shots ending up on target in the frustrating 0-0 draw.
In the reverse fixture back in September, the Hatters ran out 1-0 winners against Wimbledon, with Fraser Horsfall scoring the only goal of the game, but both sides have come on leaps and bounds since then, and we are likely to see a much higher quality game.
Team News
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Wimbledon winger Ayoub Assal is expected to join Al-Wakrah, after the buy-out clause in his contract was met by the Qatari club, and so he will not be involved in Saturday's proceedings.
In his absence, recent signing Sam Pearson is set to start, after featuring against Bradford last time out, while Saikou Janneh could get some minutes in attack, having joined on loan from Cambridge United earlier this week.
Stockport have also been active in the January transfer window, bringing in Kyle Knoyle from Doncaster Rovers, and the 26-year-old is poised to make his second appearance for the club at right-wing back.
Kyle Wootton was named as League Two Player of the Month for December, but is yet to get off the mark in 2023, although he should still keep his place in attack, partnering Paddy Madden in a 3-5-2 system.
AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; Biler, Pearce, Kalambayi, Currie; Woodyard, Marsh, Chislett, Pell, Pearson; Davison
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchcliffe; Wright, Byrne, Johnson; Knoyle, Croasdale, Hippolyte, Collar, Rydel; Wootton, Madden
We say: AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Stockport County
Stockport have the joint-highest points total of any side in the league over the course of the past 15 games, and we expect them to continue their fantastic recent form on Saturday.
Wimbledon will be no pushovers, but they have struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks and have won just one of their last six League Two matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
