AFC WIMBLEDON vs BLACKPOOL LEAGUE ONE SATURDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2020

Another home game for the Dons this weekend when we welcome Blackpool to Kingsmeadow. Both sides are struggling for a run of form and only have the one win in the last six games to show for our efforts. Did manage a boring but handy point against Ipswich which was followed up with an excellent 2-2 draw away against league one leaders Rotherham. Those results mean we are still in 20th position in the table on 30 points, but that's 7 points above Tranmere who are in the drop zone and we also in touch with a few clubs above us so it's not going to be that desperate miracle this season perhaps. Wimbledon played a game on Tuesday against Oxford and I really wish we hadn't as it was a thumping 5-0 defeat which will hardly help confidence. Five previous meetings have seen three wins for Blackpool, only one for the Dons with a 0-0 draw too for good measure.

Earlier in January the Plough Lane Bond was launched and has cleared the target of £5m raised all done by the fans and all in a short space of time, truly awesome and means we are much closer to making a return 'home' a reality this summer !! You can click here to see details of the Plough Lane Bond, and to steal their catch phrase "It's Time We Had a Home Game".

FORM GUIDE
(Last 6 matches in league one, the most recent result shown from left to right)
AFC Wimbledon -- LDDLLD
Blackpool -- LLWLLL

LAST TIME OUT
Oxford United 5 AFC Wimbledon 0
Bristol Rovers 2 Blackpool 1

Our opponents Blackpool are struggling really and with only the one win in the last six and could well be beatable today. Currently sitting in 16th place on 36 points they could find themselves down amongst the relegation candidates if they are not too careful. Following a run of just one win in twelve the Seasiders have recently sacked their manager Simon Grayson and has been replaced for the time being by David Dunn who was in caretaker charge for the 2-1 defeat by Bristol Rovers last weekend. That defeat also saw their on loan defender Ben Heneghan being shown a straight red card so should miss this one. Updates will be published with team updates and more as and when it comes through, the Dons Callum Reilly has shaken off a groin injury in time to be back in contention for Wimbledon’s return to home turf against Blackpool on Saturday.

Starting Line Ups (Confirmed);

AFC WIMBLEDON

Odds -- 21/10 (William Hill) 

Day (Gk),  O'Neill,  Thomas,  Bech Sørensen,  Wagstaff (c),  Rudoni,  Hartigan,  Reilly,  Osew,  Appiah,  Pigott

Subs – Trott (Gk),  McDonald,  Roscrow,  Pinnock,  Lamy,  Guinness-Walker,  McLoughlin

BLACKPOOL

Odds -- 13/10 (William Hill) 

Maxwell (Gk),  Turton,  Moore,  Husband,  Feeney,  MacDonald,  Virtue-Thick, 🟨Dewsbury-Hall,  Ronan,  Madine,  Delfouneso 

Subs –  Sims (Gk),  Howe,  Bola,  Edwards,  Spearing,  Nuttall,  Ward

Selected Bets on today's match;
Wimbledon to win and BOTH teams to score @13/2.
Over 1.5 Goals (1st half) @9/4.
Penalty Awarded and Scored @9/2.
Red Card in the match @11/2.

⚽H/T Score – 0 - 0

First Half Comment;
It's Blackpool who kick off to get us underway again here at Kingsmeadow, Joe Pigott is fouled in the opening minute and Paul Osew having the opening shot on goal but it's blocked. The Dons are having all the action in the opening ten minutes and a flurry of corners, and couple of headers testing the Blackpool defence but the breakthrough doesn't come yet though it's a promising start. Blackpool come into the game more during the latter period of the opening half and while beginning to dominate possession neither side can find the decisive opening and the half ends all square nil-nil. Hopefully we'll see an improved effort in the second half as this game is there for the taking and three points are needed.

⚽F/T Score – 0 - 0

Match Summary;

A disappointing game all in all, we had chances but couldn't take them, at least the positives are a) the clean sheet b) we didn't lose and c) the performance of the young players including Jack Rudoni.

My Man of the Match – Jack Rudoni.

Referee -- Our match official for this game has been confirmed as Neil Hair, who hails from Cambridgeshire and has mixed League One/Two matches this season. His assistants will be Stephen Finch and Kevin Howick while the fourth official is Ryan Whittaker.

Attendance – 4,593.

Dons next league match:
Saturday 29th February vs Gillingham (Away)
League One Kick off 3:00pm