Burton manager Nigel Clough is expecting a tough challenge against Wimbledon tomorrow after watching The Dons knock out West Ham.
The Brewers will be bidding to end a sequence of three successive league draws when they visit the Cherry Red Records Stadium for the first time in a competitive match since 16 September 2014.
Wimbledon will tomorrow be seeking a first league victory in 2019 and Wally Downes is fully aware that his squad must start racking up the wins soon to have a chance of League One survival. This will be the tenth meeting between the two clubs since Wimbledon were promoted into League 2 back in 2011.
Below are quotes from both managers, plus stats, and a recap of previous meetings.
Wally Downes
“As long as the fans see that the players are putting the effort in, I know these fans, and they will respond. It was great to give them the victory in the cup, but the bread and butter is putting together league wins. Whatever way we get them, I’m sure the fans will appreciate them. Whether it’s a dour 1-0 or a comfortable two or three, the fans will enjoy winning again, and that’s what we’ve got to do quickly.
“The performances for me have been good and something to build on. I am really positive about it and I think our time is coming now. This month is an opportunity to really put some wins together and get away from the position that we are in.”
Nigel Clough
“What you see in the cup is what they are capable of. They will be saying they have to take that cup form into the league. I watched the game against West Ham and they thoroughly deserved the victory. not just through luck or launching the ball forward. They showed their potential and capabilities on that day.
“All the teams in League One have that potential on the day and no more so than Wimbledon despite being bottom. I hope they are distracted by the FA Cup as they have another game coming up. But they won’t have given up on the league. We haven’t given up on the play offs and they won’t have given up on staying up. A home game is a good chance for them to get a win and start a run going."
Team News
Andy Barcham will be back in contention for Wimbledon after a hamstring injury, but it will come too soon for James Hanson and Dylan Connolly is doubtful with an ankle knock. Burton will be without the suspended John Brayford. Brayford was sent off in the goalless stalemate with Oxford and he will serve a one-match ban. Fellow defender Josh Clarke sustained an ankle injury in the same fixture and he is a doubt. Midfielder Ben Fox has a hamstring problem and he looks unlikely to play at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. New signing Alex Bradley is likely to be in the squad.
Form guide (last six in all competitions, starting with most recent)
AFC Wimbledon LWLLDW
Burton Albion DDLDLL
Previous meetings
Burton won the corresponding fixture 3-0 on 1 September with goals from Stephen Quinn, David Templeton, and Liam Boyce. It was Wimbledon’s first away league defeat this season after picking up four points from trips to Fleetwood and Barnsley. The two teams have met nine times since AFC Wimbledon’s promotion to the Football League back in 2011. It’s honours even from those previous battles with three wins each and three draws. Wimbledon’s first matches against Burton were in the 1964/65 season and they were two cracking games too! The Dons triumphed 6-2 at home and the reverse fixture ended in a 4-4 draw. Overall, Wimbledon and Burton have met 30 times with The Dons winning 18 times.
The last league meeting at the Cherry Red Records Stadium was on 16 September 2014 and it ended in a 3-0 win for Wimbledon, thanks to a double from Bayo Akinfenwa and a goal from Matt Tubbs. Click on the link below to watch highlights from that game.
Last time out
Sunderland 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
Burton Albion 0-0 Oxford United
Tickets
You can buy in advance for the Chemflow End and the RyGas terrace. Tickets are available in advance up until 11.00 am on Saturday with pre-match collection from the white ticket booth (next to the Dons Trust Kiosk). Alternatively, tickets will be available on the day. Please note that all tickets ordered after 2.00 pm on Wednesday will be available for collection at the white booth.
iFollow
Tune into match coverage on WDON from 3.00 pm with commentators Rob Cornell and Mikey T reporting from the press box. Visit our iFollow channel to access the commentary.