Football | Wimbledon aim for more Wembley success

AFC Wimbledon v Walsall Preview

The League Two playoff final brings together two evenly matched sides, with AFC Wimbledon and Walsall heading to Wembley after finishing as the highest-placed teams in the playoff positions.

Author - Kris Stuart

AFC Wimbledon arrive at the national stadium in decent form, having recorded three consecutive 1-0 wins. 

Those victories have come after a difficult run in which the Dons failed to win any of their previous four matches, scoring just once in that period. Their recent upturn in results suggests a return to defensive solidity and efficient finishing.

Walsall also enter the final in strong shape, having won their last three outings. The Saddlers have shown more attacking threat than their opponents, netting four goals across their two playoff legs while conceding only once. Their ability to find the net could prove decisive at Wembley.

READ MORE |How AFC Wimbledon made the final

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In the regular season, Walsall narrowly edged the head-to-head record. They claimed a 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon's Cherry Red Records Stadium, with the reverse fixture ending in a goalless draw. 

Both meetings in the regular season saw fewer than 2.5 goals, reflecting the tight margins expected in this final.

With little separating the teams, this promises to be a closely contested match that could be settled by the finest of margins.

The Dons form going into the final

As we have already said AFC Wimbledon won their previous three matches against Notts County (x2) and Grimsby Town (0-1). However, prior to this run of, they had gone on a winless run of four matches, with two defeats against Port Vale (0-2), Gillingham (1-0) and two consecutive draws against Chesterfield (0-0) and Doncaster Rovers (1-1)

Their only victory in April came against Harrogate Town (1-0), which was only their second league win in 10 matches in League Two. That recent upturn though has their fans believing that another success at Wembley is possible.

Wimbledon excited but calm

A Wimbledon fan told us: "What has been interesting is there seems to be a degree of calmness around Wimbledon. There was no pitch invasion after the semi-final win.

The demeanour of the players was also quite calm. These are probably good things. Onwards to Wembley."