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

A solitary point separates AFC Wimbledon and Walsall in the League Two table ahead of their meeting at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Tuesday night.

Boasting two games in hand, 11th-placed Walsall find themselves two places above Wimbledon and three points shy of the top seven, so the visitors could break into the playoff spots with victory in the capital.

Match preview

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Wimbledon were scheduled to face Newport County in South Wales on Saturday, but the match was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Rodney Parade.

As a result, the Dons head into Tuesday's clash on the back of two successive goalless draws, having shared the points with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road before holding Bradford City on home soil.

It is fair to say that Johnnie Jackson's side have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, recording nine wins, nine draws and eight losses in the league, while they have also struggled in front of goal.

Indeed, Wimbledon are the lowest scorers in the top 13, having netted 29 goals in 26 games, and they have failed to score in three of their previous six league outings.

On a brighter note, only seven League Two teams have suffered fewer losses than Wimbledon this season, so Jackson's men will be confident of avoiding defeat on Tuesday.

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Walsall also had their previous game postponed due to the adverse weather conditions, meaning they were denied the chance to close the gap on sixth-placed Swindon Town.

After claiming a 2-1 victory over Mansfield Town on New Years' Day, the Saddlers registered a goalless draw with Tranmere Rovers last time out, extending their impressive recent run to one defeat in 10 League Two matches

When you look at the bigger picture, Michael Flynn's men have lost just two of their previous 14 league outings, picking up eight wins and four draws in the process.

It is also worth noting that Walsall are currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten streak away from home in the league, having claimed two wins and three draws since their last loss on the road.

Earlier this month, the Saddlers booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-1 victory over Stockport County, so they will be eager to record a positive result against Wimbledon ahead of their clash with Premier League side Leicester City next Saturday.

Team News

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Nathan Young-Coombes has been recalled by Brentford and will be sorely missed by Wimbledon, where he bagged three goals and three assists in 11 league games.

Ayoub Assal has not featured for the Dons since the turn of the year, with the exciting young winger poised to join Al-Wakrah of the Qatar Stars League.

Having racked up nine goals and five assists following his move from Charlton Athletic, Josh Davison will continue to lead the line for Wimbledon on Tuesday.

For the visitors, Joe Low is expected to replace Manny Monthe in the starting XI after the Cameroonian received a red card in the 1-1 draw with Tranmere last time out.

Walsall will also be without the injured Jack Earing for the trip to the Cherry Red Records Stadium, as the midfielder continues to recover from a knee problem sustained in training.

Connor Wilkinson remains sidelined due to a knee injury, meaning Danny Johnson – who has scored 12 league goals this season – will retain his place in the Saddlers' attack.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Biler, Pearce, Kalambayi, Currie; Woodyard, Marsh; Chislett, Pell, Pearson; Davison

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Evans; White, Daniels, Low; Knowles, Kinsella, Comley, Gordon; Hutchinson; Johnson, Maddox

We say: AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Walsall

Having lost only two of their last 14 league matches, Walsall look set to enjoy even more success against Wimbledon, who head into Tuesday's clash in questionable form.

Only the top two sides in the division – Leyton Orient and Stevenage – have conceded fewer goals than Walsall this term, meaning the visitors could keep a clean sheet on their way to victory.

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