Preview: AFC Wimbledon vs Stevenage – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

The Cherry Red Records Stadium will be the backdrop to an all-League One clash on Tuesday when AFC Wimbledon face off against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy‘s Southern Group E.

The Dons are hoping to bounce back from defeat last time out, while the Boro are looking for a second consecutive victory in midweek.

Match preview

Johnnie Jackson‘s Wimbledon recorded three wins on the bounce in mid-August, but with three defeats from their four matches prior to this week’s cup action, it would be fair to say that they are in poor form.

On Saturday, the Dons followed up their 2-1 EFL Cup elimination at the hands of Reading by losing 3-2 on the road to Bradford City in the third tier, and the manager will be particularly disappointed given that his team took the lead twice only to be beaten with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.

That defeat left Jackson’s side 12th in League One, where their tally of nine points has them three short of Huddersfield Town in the playoff spots, and six behind their opponents in the automatic promotion places.

Playing on their own turf this week, the hosts will draw confidence from the fact that despite their lacklustre form overall, they have lost just two of their last nine competitive matches at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

In the 2024-25 edition of the EFL Trophy, Wimbledon were made it through the group stage but were knocked out in the round of 32 by Colchester United, and they will be keen to get off to a strong start on their way to going further this time around.

Meanwhile, Alex Revell‘s Stevenage have made an excellent start to the 2025-26 campaign, and they are in strong form ahead of this clash, with five wins and two losses to date.

Th Boro bounced back from defeat against Huddersfield Town last weekend by beating Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 at Lamex Stadium, courtesy of a first-half strike from Chem Campbell.

Three points has Revell’s men second in League One, and they are on-course to better their 14th-placed finish from last season.

However, while Tuesday’s visitors have been impressive on the whole, their opponents may take heart from the fact that they have alternated between victory and defeat on the road this term.

Stevenage went far in last season’s EFL Trophy, reaching the quarter finals where they were beaten 1-0 by Birmingham City, and they will feel capable of going all the way alongside their push for promotion. 

AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):

Stevenage form (all competitions):

Team News

Wimbledon could start a similar XI to the one that featured in the EFL Cup against Reading, and striker Omar Bugiel should be joined up top by Antwoine Hackford and Danilo Orsi.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Patrick Bauer could start with Riley Harbottle at the heart of the defence, and the duo may be flanked by Aron Sasu and Robert Junior Nkeng.

As for Stevenage, Chem Campbell should start on the right flank once again, joined by Daniel Kemp and Phoenix Patterson behind centre-forward Jovan Malcolm, with Jamie Reid on standby to provide more firepower from the bench.

Backing them up should be Daniel Phillips and Harvey White, who are likely to operate in a double pivot in front of centre-backs Daniel Sweeney and Lewis Freestone.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

McDonnell; Sasu, Bauer, Harbottle, Nkeng; Ogundere, Reeves, Maycock; Hackford, Bugiel, Orsi-Dadomo 

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Pattenden, Sweeney, Freestone, Butler; Phillips, White; Campbell, Kemp, Patterson; Malcolm

We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Stevenage

Wimbledon have lost three of their last four matches going into this cup clash, and they will be low on confidence coming up against a fellow League One club.

Stevenage on the other hand have been one of the best teams in the third tier, though their away record is mixed, and they will have to fight for the points.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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