Fleetwood Town travel to bottom of the table AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night in the rearranged Sky Bet League One fixture.
The two sides meet for the third time this season with the latest being in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup at Highbury. Wimbledon came away winners on the day with a goal in the final minute of the match.
Town go down South to seek revenge, and we have all you need to know prior to the 7:45pm kick-off at Kingsmeadow.
Fixture: AFC Wimbledon v Fleetwood Town
Competition: Sky Bet League One
Date: Tuesday 22nd January 2019
Kick-Off: 19.45
Venue: Kingsmeadow, Jack Goodchild way, Kingston Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 3PB
Referee/Officials: Charles Breaskspear (Referee), Michael Webb, Christopher Kidd, Craig Hicks.
FLEETWOOD TOWN
Last five results in all competitions: D D D L W
League position: 12th on 36th points
Club’s top goal scorer: Paddy Madden (16 goals in all competitions)
Fleetwood Town will be looking for their first away win in 4 in the league as they were held to a hard fought 1-1 draw away at Rochdale last weekend. The Cod Army will be confident they can start picking up 3 points on the road against Tuesday nights opponent AFC Wimbledon, who sit 24th in the table on 23 points 13 below Fleetwood.
There has been some transfer activity at Highbury last week regarding defender Cian Bolger who has left the Cod Army for League 2 side Lincoln on a permanent deal.
Alex Cairns will be looking to keep up his continued good form if he features where making some vital saves to keep Fleetwood in games, proven last weekend in the dying moments of the game to keep Fleetwood with the point. Cairns has proven himself over the past 3 years at Fleetwood, struggling to break into the starting eleven when he first arrived, over 68 appearances later for the club he has cemented his place as number one.
Prolific Striker Ched Evans will also be available for selection for Tuesday night’s game as he returns from his two match ban.
AFC WIMBLEDON
Last five results in all competitions: L D L D W
League position: 24th with 23 points
Club’s top goal scorer: Joe Pigott (8 goals in all competitions)
It’s been a disappointing season on Wimbledon’s behalf who sit rock bottom with only 6 wins so far this season with one of those coming against Fleetwood on Saturday 4th August. One positive that AFC Wimbledon can take from this season is their fourth round home tie in the FA Cup against premier league outfit West Ham United.
AFC Wimbledon will be confident to get back on track against the Cod Army as in a previous meeting this season AFC Wimbledon fought hard and well to the end to get a 90th minute winner at Highbury in the cup which left Fleetwood shook.
Joe Pigott (8 goals) and Kwesi Appiah (6 goals) are proving to be Wimbledon’s highest threats in front of goal this season, with 14 between them. Whilst at the opposite end of the pitch vocal centre back Will Nightingale will be hoping to bring more solidarity to the back four.
Last time out at Kingsmeadow:
Last time the two sides met at AFC Wimbledon's ground was back in March 2018. Jack Sowerby's first half strike was the difference on the day, and what a vital win it was for former Town boss John Sheridan. A result that pushed the Cod Army away from the relegation zone.
One to watch: Liam Trotter
Experienced midfielder Trotter started his career as an exciting young youth prospect at Ipswich Town where he made his league debut on the 30th April 2006 coming on with 10 minutes to go.
He signed his first professional contract with Ipswich Town in August 2006 where he immediately moved to Millwall to gain some first team experience. In 2010, Trotter would then re-join Millwall for a second loan spell. Being a bit of a journeyman during his career Trotter has played for 7 different clubs gaining experience at all levels of football league.
Since signing for Wimbledon on July 21st 2017, he has gone on to make 58 appearances in all competitions leading by example everywhere he’d go, with those performances rewarded the Vice-Captain role for AFC Wimbledon. His last goal for the Dons came on Saturday 15th September in a 3-2 loss to Scunthorpe at home.
One to watch: Deji Oshilaja
During two spells with AFC Wimbledon, 25 year old Oshilaja has so far made 71 first team appearances in all competitions and ended 2017/18 as the club’s Player of the Year. He started off his career as a youngster in Cardiff’s set up, and got sent out immediately on loan to fellow Welsh side Newport County.
Oshilaja spent three separate spells at fellow League One outlet Gillingham before signing for Wimbledon in 2017, where he had been allocated the role as club captain by former manager Neil Ardley.
He’s gone on to make 67 appearances for the Wimbledon side over the past two years using his League One experience to hopefully guide the Dons to safety as they are fixed to the bottom of the table with a mountain to climb for survival.
JOEY BARTON:
“We knew last time out against them we were miles the better side, but we lost the game. This time we just need to make sure we are switched on because we are obviously hurting after the FA Cup game.
“Tuesday is a chance for us to win a game of football and is another opportunity for us to reach the level of performance we produced in the first half."
WALLY DOWNES:
(After reflecting on the 4-1 defeat to Barnsley) “I’m disappointed with the result, obviously, but I thought we matched them from the start up until the second or third goal went in.
“We had chances in the first half when we could have taken the lead- a great save from the goalkeeper and Jake (Jervis) missed a great chance.”
Wally Downes proving that he has all confidence in his squad where if they are putting in respectable performances against a team that’s top of their game and, also, at the top of the division, then he has the faith for them to perform.
Ticket information
Away supporters can purchase tickets either at Poolfoot Farm or in the club shop at Highbury Stadium. You can also buy tickets online here.
See the ticket prices for the match against AFC Wimbledon below:
ADULTS - £17
CONCESSION/STUDENT - £11
UNDER 18 - £4
An official supporters coach will be departing Highbury at 12.30pm, with the price just £5 for Onward Card holders. The price for Non Onward Card holders is £23.
Betting
If you fancy an AFC Wimbledon win then they’re backed at 6/4 as they look to get 3 points on the board.
For a Fleetwood win away from home they’re backed at 9/5 as the Cod Army look to climb to a potential 8th spot with the 3 points.
In the past meeting the two teams shared 5 goals, so if you’re backing a Fleetwood win and both teams to score its 6/1 with both sets of strikers motivated to keep momentum going.
The correct score group betting gives you odds of 10/3 for the game to finish 1-1,2-2,3-3 draw: if any of those results come in, you win.
You can find more odds for the game HERE. Please bet and gamble responsibly.