AFC Wimbledon vs Accrington Stanley predictions and football betting tips for this weekend’s League Two play-off semi-final first leg tonight.
Accrington couldn’t find a way past Stevenage and now have to do things the hard way through the play-offs. They face Wimbledon on Saturday evening and we’ve got the best football tips for the match.
AFC Wimbledon vs Accrington Stanley Preview
AFC Wimbledon
AFC Wimbledon secured their place in the top seven a couple of weeks back and can look forward to testing their mettle against Accrington in the end of season competition. A promotion to League One would be impressive and a grudge match with MK Dons awaits. They made eight changes for the 1-0 victory over Newport on the final day of the season and that should keep the players fresh for this tie.
Ardley admitted that one or two of the regulars were carrying knocks and that was the main reason for their omission at the weekend. Lyle Taylor was rested and they’ll need their top scorer fit and firing against a side who haven’t conceded for three matches.
Wimbledon have lost just once in the last eight games and that was against Portsmouth, a side they could potentially meet in the final, should they progress. Considering they formed less than 15 years ago, the Dons have done remarkably well and it doesn’t need me to point that this is the highest ever finish in their history…so I won’t!
Having a former Wimbledon player as manager has proved a masterstroke and is sure to have gained Neal Ardley a little extra time when things have got tough. With the pending move away from Kingsmeadow, there is plenty of positivity around the football club at the moment and promotion to League One would further enhance that. It’s a tightly packed ground and there should be a terrific atmosphere for this game.
Accrington Stanley
John Coleman admitted he was nervous about Accrington’s run in as his side pushed for automatic promotion. Accy started the day in the promotion positions, but a stoic Stevenage backline coupled with a late show from Bristol Rovers meant they dropped into 4th spot. In any of the previous six seasons, their current total would have seen them promoted.
Stepping back from that disappointment, you can only acknowledge what a magnificent job Coleman has done and the fact that a club of this size could potentially find themselves in League One is incredible!
It’s been a memorable season for the Lancashire side at their newly christened Wham stadium. They are unbeaten since the 8th of March, a run that stretches back 12 matches and will be tough opposition for anyone in the play-offs. They ended the season with three clean sheets and that can give them enormous confidence as they face a first leg trip to West London. Saturday was just the 4th time they’ve failed to score this calendar year and came mighty close to finding the net late on.
Opposition manager Neal Ardley has described Accrington as ‘The Leicester of League Two’ and although their business is far from finished this season, with the lack of financial power at the club, it would be an achievement akin to the Foxes’ triumph. He’s heaped praise on his opposite number and Coleman’s managerial credentials will be tested as he attempts to pick up his side following their disappointment last weekend. It’s testament to the club that Ardley went as far as admitting he didn’t want to face Accrington in the play-offs. The squad have plenty of spirit though as they’ve shown throughout the season and they should find a way of bouncing back.
Piero Mingoia has said securing promotion would be the perfect way to reward fans for their commitment throughout the season and for packing out the Wham Stadium last week. The club struggle to attract a vast audience with many bigger clubs situated nearby. The regulars have been treated to a whirlwind of a season, which could end with another trip to London, this time to Wembley. Stanley will make sure the atmosphere is buzzing when Wimbledon visit Lancashire, but they have to concentrate on this tie first.
Team News
- Multiple changes were made last week by Neal Ardley as he reshuffled the pack to keep players fresh.
- Connor Smith suffered a neck injury against Newport but has been given the all clear. He may not start, but could get a place on the bench.
- Lyle Taylor will return whilst Adebayo Akinfenwa will probably be dropped to the bench.
- Scott Brown started on the bench against Stevenage, but if he is fit enough, he could be drafted back into the starting 11.
- Tom Davies and Mark Hughes have been pretty solid recently and are likely to be John Coleman’s starting preference at the back.
- Shay McCartan is pushing for a start. He came off the bench on Saturday replacing Tarique Fosu.
AFC Wimbledon vs Accrington Stanley Predictions
Stanley have been tough to beat recently, but AFC Wimbledon are tough and have only lost one of their last six home games, conceding just twice in the process. My first AFC Wimbledon v Accrington betting tip is for the match to end a Draw. It can be backed at 12/5 with Bet365.
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With just two goals conceded in their last six home games and three consecutive clean sheets, I don’t think this game will be a five goal thriller. The Under 2.5 goals seems likely. My second AFC Wimbledon v Accrington prediction is for Under 2.5 goals. It can be backed at 3/4 with Bet Victor.
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It seems like an obvious pick for an anytime goalscorer tip, but AFC Wimbledon have only scored nine goals since the start of April and Lyle Taylor has netted six of them. He has to be the pick. My third AFC Wimbledon vs Accrington betting tip is for Lyle Taylor to score anytime. He is 6/4 with Bet365.
AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Betting Tips
Draw – 12/5 Bet365.
Under 2.5 goals – 3/4 Bet Victor.
Lyle Taylor – Anytime Goalscorer – 6/4 Bet365.
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Jack Critchley
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