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

AFC Wimbledon will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to seven matches when they face Grimsby Town on Saturday.

The visitors, on the other hand, have not won any of their last five league games.

Match preview

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Having suffered relegation from League One last season, Wimbledon started life in the EFL's bottom tier under their new boss Johnnie Jackson.

However, the former Charlton Athletic manager and player has slowly turned things around at Plough Lane, with 14 points from their last six matches moving them within five points of the playoff positions ahead of this weekend's action.

There was disappointment last time out, though, as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at home to Chesterfield Town in the second round of the FA Cup, meaning that the Dons missed out on potentially being drawn against Premier League opponents in the third round draw, which took place earlier this week.

Jackson may be privately pleased that his side can fully focus on continuing their excellent run in League Two, though, with the 40-year-old surely fancying his side's chances on Saturday given the two teams' contrasting form.

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Indeed, after adapting to life in League Two extremely quickly following their remarkable promotion via the National League playoffs last season, there is little doubt that Grimsby have dipped in recent weeks.

Just two points being collected from their last five games has seen Paul Hurst's side drop to 16th in the table prior to their lengthy trip to London this weekend, although they would jump above their opponents - and potentially into the top half - if they can end their winless run.

Unlike their forthcoming opponents, the Mariners managed to progress to the third round of the FA Cup by securing an impressive 2-1 win away to Cambridge United last weekend, and they will fancy their chances of reaching the fourth round for the first time in 23 years having been drawn at home against Burton Albion.

In the meantime, though, the former Ipswich Town boss will be keen to ensure that his team's poor league form comes to an end as quickly as possible, and having won five times on the road already in League Two this season, there is every chance that happens on Saturday.

Team News

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Jackson only made one change for his side's defeat to Chesterfield in the FA Cup last weekend, with Huseyin Biler likely to return at left back in place of Jack Currie.

Harry Pell, George Marsh and Ryley Towler are all walking a disciplinary tight rope as they are only one yellow card away from incurring a one-match suspension.

Hurst, on the other hand, made several changes for his team's surprise victory away to League One outfit Cambridge, and he may be tempted to reward the same starting XI by going again unchanged.

Otis Khan will be hoping to be the hero once again having bagged a brace against the U's, including a last-minute winner to send his side through to the third round of England's primary cup competition.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

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

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Efete, Waterfall, Maher, Amos; Kiernan, Green, Holohan, Clifton; McAtee, Khan

We say: AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Grimsby Town

Grimsby are bound to win in League Two sooner rather than later, and they showed their prowess on the road once again last weekend by stunning Cambridge in the FA Cup.

Wimbledon have been on a strong run recently, but we have a sneaky feeling their unbeaten run may be coming to an end on Saturday.

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