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

Sunderland will be keen to bounce back from their first League One defeat of the season when they welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts have lost just three of their 19 home games in 2021, while the visitors are unbeaten in their last five league games on the road.

Match preview

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Sunderland suffered their first defeat of the new campaign when they were beaten 1-0 by Burton Albion on Tuesday night.

A 66th-minute stunner from winger Jonathan Smith, the hosts' only shot on target, ensured it was the Brewers who maintained their 100% start to League One.

The likes of Aiden McGeady, Lynden Gooch and Ross Stewart were all guilty of squandering good chances at the Pirelli Stadium and manager Lee Johnson will be hoping that his side can rediscover their clinical form this weekend.

The Black Cats return to the Stadium of Light to face an AFC Wimbledon side who they have beaten in five of their six previous meetings, drawing the other clash 1-1 at home in December last season.

Competing in the third tier of English football for the fourth successive year, Sunderland cannot afford to drop too many points throughout this campaign if they are to secure promotion, therefore they will be keen to get back to winning ways this weekend.

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AFC Wimbledon, meanwhile, remain unbeaten so far this season after drawing 1-1 at home against Gillingham on Tuesday, though they were left disappointed in not claiming all three points.

With the game goalless, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when David Tutonda was shown his second yellow card in the 72nd minute.

Substitute Ollie Palmer thought his 85th-minute header had won it for the Wombles, however a 97th-minute strike from Harvey Lintott took a wicked deflection off defender Paul Kalambayi and floated into the back of the net, snatching a point for the Gills at the death.

Mark Robinson's men have claimed five points from their opening three league games so far this term, though they may find it difficult to claim any on Saturday, as they face a Sunderland outfit who they have never beaten in a competitive match.

AFC Wimbledon have lost four of their five encounters against the Black Cats, including a 3-0 home defeat in their last meeting in January, though Robinson's side have won both of their away matches this season, so they can take some confidence to the North-East this weekend.

Team News

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Sunderland remain without centre-backs Arbenit Xhemajli and Jordan Willis, who continue to recover from long-term knee injuries, while midfielder Corry Evans – who missed the last match – is doubtful with a knock that he picked up against MK Dons.

With a lack of squad depth at right-back, midfielder Carl Winchester is set to remain in this position, with Tom Flanagan, Callum Doyle and Dennis Cirkin to play alongside him in the back four.

Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead came off the bench against Burton and will be hoping he can now force his way into the first XI, however Stewart is expected to lead the line once again.

As for Wimbledon, Robinson is unlikely to make too many changes to the side that drew with Gillingham in midweek.

A 3-4-3 formation is set to be used once again, which is likely to see Henry Lawrence and Paul Osew operating as wing-backs.

After scoring against Gillingham, Palmer will be hoping to force his way into the starting lineup ahead of Aaron Pressley.

Sunderland possible starting lineup:

Burge; Winchester, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin; O'Nein, Neil; Gooch, Embleton, McGeady; Stewart

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Tzanev; Kalambayi, Nightingale, Csoka; Lawrence, Woodyard, Marsh, Osew; Assal, Pressley, Mebude

We say: Sunderland 2-0 AFC Wimbledon

Both Sunderland and Wimbledon were unlucky not to come away with victories in midweek and they will be keen to bounce back with all three points on Saturday.

The hosts will be the favourites for this league clash and we can see them securing a routine win at the Stadium of Light.