Wimbledon will be aiming for a repeat of the performance that earned the points against Rochdale in March when the two sides do battle again tomorrow.
Three goals in five minutes in the early stages of the second –half, from Sean Kelly, Lyle Taylor and a Dean Parrett penalty, saw off the ten-men of Rochdale in a 3-1 victory for the Dons.
Keith Hill's side visit The Cherry Red Records Stadium (3pm kick-off) three places and two points better off in the table than Wimbledon on this occasion. Neal Ardley (pictured) remains positive about the Dons getting things right in both boxes as they look to climb the table.
Management comments
Neal Ardley –
"We need to keep the spirit bubbling and it's all about trying to keep the performances at the levels they have been. We've got some good players who it has not quite happened for really. We have to try to keep them feeling good about themselves.
"Rochdale have picked up, they've had a couple of good results and a couple of clean sheets, while our recent performances have been decent.
"It'll be a tough game, Keith Hill (Rochdale manager) has done a fantastic job there. They are always entertaining. They never sit back, they always come at you. We need to be very good without the ball to make sure we're not chasing the game."
Keith Hill –
"The game (last season) was turned on its head with Keith Keane being sent off. I thought we were well in the game. We created some great opportunities in the first half, but again it's just typical of some of the things we've been doing away from home – this self-implosion, if you like, and one or two mini-mistakes leading to big mistakes.
"It's very difficult when you go away from home and go down to ten men. But last season I was very encouraged with the way we started the game and took the game to the opposition.
"Something we have to consider and work hard against is the self-implosion away from home, and if we're better with that we'll be very successful, especially with our home record."
Team news –
Striker Kwesi Appiah is facing a spell on the sidelines after having a scan on the hamstring injury that kept him out against Southend. This could rule him out for four to five weeks.
Left-back Jon Meades is back in light training, but remains unavailable for selection.
Rochdale have been able to select from a bigger pool of players for the last few matches, with players returning from injury and illness.
Last time out –
Southend United 1, AFC Wimbledon 0
Blackpool 0, Rochdale 0.
Last meeting –
March 28, 2017
Sky Bet League One –
AFC Wimbledon 3, Rochdale 1
Tickets –
Seat tickets are sold out, but you can still buy tickets for the popular Chemflow End and the RyGas Stand. Book online in advance up until 11.00 am tomorrow morning and collect from the white booth in Jack Goodchild Way. Alternatively, buy terrace tickets pre-match at the turnstiles.
Buy in advance or on the day to cheer on your club.
Match coverage –
Tune into iFollow for live match commentary from our WDON team. Overseas subscribers can watch a live stream of the game by subscribing to iFollow.