Football Preview | AFC Wimbledon v Port Vale

AFC Wimbledon head into this clash with Port Vale on the back of four straight wins.

They  sit fifth in the League One table, winning seven of their opening 11 matches since earning promotion to the third tier of English football last season. 

Author | Kris Stuart

Stadium | Plough Lane

AFC Wimbledon v Wycombe view from the stands

The Dons have scored exactly two goals in each of their last four matches, all of which ended in victory, and three of those games have produced scorelines of 2-1.

Last time out for AFC Wimbledon

They secured a 2-0 victory at Blackpool thanks to a brace from Danilo Orsi. The striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Alistair Smith was brought down inside the area, despite protests from the home side who claimed the challenge took place outside the box. Blackpool struggled to create chances in a first half short on quality, with Albie Morgan firing straight at Nathan Bishop in stoppage time when a rare opportunity did fall their way.

Wimbledon’s goalkeeper was called into action again after the break, saving well from Josh Bowler just before the hour mark. Moments later, the visitors wrapped up the win as Ryan Johnson’s header from Jake Reeves’ cross was parried by Bailey Peacock-Farrell, only for Orsi to react quickest and tap in his second of the match.

Watch the highlights of the Blackpool match below

Team news for the home side

AFC Wimbledon will be without three players, with Ryan Johnson, Myles Hippolyte and Omar Bugiel. They are all away on international duty.

A look at the opposition

Port Vale occupy 16th spot after 11 matches and have already lost five times this season. However, Vale's form of late has been decent with the visitors picking up three wins, one draw, and suffering just one defeat in their last five.

Interesting stats 

AFC Wimbledon have made a strong start to the League One season, winning seven of their opening 11 matches (L4), their highest tally of victories at this stage of an EFL campaign.

The Dons have struggled in recent meetings with Port Vale, losing each of the last three league encounters after being beaten only once in the first five Football League meetings between the sides (W3 D1).

Port Vale were 2-0 winners on their most recent visit to Wimbledon in April, ending a run of three winless trips (D1 L2).

This season, Vale have conceded just 10 goals in their first 11 League One fixtures, their most resilient defensive start to a third-tier campaign since 1975-76, when they also let in 10 at the same stage.