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

AFC Wimbledon play host to Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon looking for a long overdue win which will move the club outside of the League One relegation zone.

While the visitors currently sit 12 points clear of the bottom four, defeat at the weekend would leave the U's with work to do in order to retain their third-tier status.

Match preview

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Despite having failed to win a single League One fixture in 19 attempts, AFC Wimbledon somehow still find themselves within touching distance of moving outside of the relegation zone.

Furthermore, it is equally surprising that Mark Robinson has remained in the dugout, but he will still retain faith that the Dons can still get out of trouble by the end of the season.

Although four successive defeats are not ideal at this stage of the season, Robinson will take the positives from their performance last time out after leading Cheltenham Town with 10 minutes remaining.

Conceding three times would have led to huge frustration in the dressing room afterwards, but there is an argument that the 90 minutes at least represented a small step in the right direction.

From Cambridge's perspective, they are currently on their second-worst run of form this season, losing four of their last five fixtures.

Even though a clean sheet was recorded in a goalless draw with Shrewsbury Town, 14 goals have been shipped in the other quartet of games, six of which came at Sheffield Wednesday.

Mark Bonner witnessed his team give a much better account of themselves against MK Dons, only losing 1-0 to the promotion-chasers, but he will want to get the win on the board which will likely keep the club in League One as soon as possible.

Cambridge have now gone nearly 400 minutes of football without scoring a goal, their last strike coming in the 4-2 reverse at Oxford United on February 26.

Bonner's side have also failed to prevail in an away fixture in all competitions since January 15, a run spanning eight contests.

Team News

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Despite the frustration of the capitulation at Cheltenham, Robinson is unlikely to make many changes to his AFC Wimbledon XI.

Although he has failed to score in nine appearances, Sam Cosgrove should retain his spot in the team, while Derick Osei is expected to remain among the replacements after recently penning a short-term contract.

Bonner finds himself in a similar situation and will likely keep alterations down to a minimum after a spirited effort versus MK Dons.

Adam May may return in midfield, potentially taking the place of Liam O'Neil, but Jack Lankester should remain on the substitutes' bench.

Leading marksman Joe Ironside heads into this fixture having failed to score in his last five appearances.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Lawrence, Heneghan, Nightingale, Guinness-Walker; Woodyard, Hartigan; Awokoya-Mebude, Rudoni, Assal; Cosgrove

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Williams, Okedina, Jones, Dunk; Digby, O'Neil; Smith, Knibbs, Brophy; Ironside

We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Cambridge United

With neither team showing any kind of form in recent weeks, this is a difficult match to predict. While home advantage has the potential of serving Wimbledon well, we expect Cambridge to gain at least a share of the spoils.