AFC Wimbledon will take on Stevenage in Group K of the EFL Trophy. The visitors defeated Leyton Orient in League One by a score of 3-0. The hosts entered this game off a weekend draw of 2-2 with Newport County.
Preview (AFC Wimbledon vs Stevenage)
Wimbledon will be looking for a better 2023–24 season after finishing the previous campaign in 21st position. They finished just five points above Hartlepool, who was the first team to sign their contract. The Dons will be happy with their start to the season considering that their 2-2 draw with Newport County over the weekend preserved their league-best unblemished record thus far and put them in fifth place with 10 points after six games. Johnnie Jackson’s team has played in three victories, four draws, and just one defeat this season. The defeat came last week against Chelsea of the Premier League in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
Last season, they had a successful run in this competition, topping their group with seven points from three games. They moved on to the third knockout round, where they were defeated by Plymouth Argyle on penalties. Wimbledon entered this match as the underdogs, according to the bookmaker odds. They dropped both of their League Two meetings with this opponent the previous year.
With 13 points in their first six league games, Boro has likewise had a strong start to the 2023–24 season. They are now in third place early on, tied for points with Exeter City, Bolton, and Port Vale. In their eight games this season, Steve Evans’ team has won five, drawn one, and lost two games. While they defeated Watford in the Carabao Cup first round, they were eliminated from that competition by Exeter City last week. They still had a very excellent record against this opponent, with five victories in their last seven encounters, and they recovered well to defeat Leyton Orient over the weekend.
Team News
Paul Kalambayi and Huseyin Biler, who each have hamstring and knee injuries, are not participating in this game for Jackson. James Tilley has scored six goals in his previous five games, including a brace over the weekend, and has been in superb form to start this season. He will almost probably stay on the right wing in this one. In this game, Jake Forster-Caskey, a visitor who was given a straight red against Portsmouth two weeks ago, will serve the last of a three-match suspension.
Jordan Roberts, who has been Boro’s most inventive player this year, ought to stay in the number 10 position behind Jamie Reid and Charlie McNeill, a loanee from Manchester United. Although both teams have had strong starts to the season, the visitors have a strong record against this foe and will be looking to go further in this tournament. We anticipate a close game with many of opportunities generated, but we think Boro will prevail.
AFC Wimbledon 1 – 2 Stevenage
For more football news, click here
