Preview: AFC Wimbledon vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts picked up a point away at Grimsby Town on the opening day of the season, while the visitors started their campaign with a defeat at home against MK Dons.

Match preview

AFC Wimbledon finished 21st in League Two in the 2022-23 campaign, just five points above the relegation zone, and they will have to improve significantly if they are to avoid a repeat this season.

On the opening day, Wimbledon got off to a solid, if not spectacular start, drawing 0-0 against Grimsby at Blundell Park, but they will be annoyed they did not take more from the game, with Ali Al-Hamadi missing a second-half penalty.

It is far too early to start looking at the league table, but the Dons are currently in 13th place, and they will be hoping to build on their opening day draw on the road with a win this weekend.

Johnnie Jackson's side head into the game after a morale-boosting victory against 2022-23 Championship playoff finalists Coventry City on Wednesday night, with Omar Bugiel and Ryan McLean striking late to overturn a one-goal deficit and secure a 2-1 win.

As such, Wimbledon should head into Saturday's game full of confidence, as they square off against their opponents for the first time since 2011, but they know they will have their work cut out.

Indeed, Wrexham are looking to rapidly rise up the leagues under the helm of Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and manager Phil Parkinson, achieving the National League's record points total after amassing a total of 111 points last season.

All eyes were on the SToK Cae Ras for the Red Dragons' first EFL game since 2009 last weekend, but they ultimately came up short against MK Dons, after getting off to the worst possible start.

The Welsh side were 2-0 down inside 10 minutes, with Eoghan O'Connell scoring an own goal, before Mohamed Eisa added another for the visitors, who eventually went on to wrap up a 5-3 victory to deny the Reds a victory on their EFL return.

However, Parkinson's side did manage to bounce back on Tuesday night, putting in a solid performance against League One side Wigan Athletic before winning on penalties, and they will be hoping to make it two wins on the spin with a victory on the road this weekend.

AFC Wimbledon League Two form:

AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):

Wrexham League Two form:

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Wrexham form (all competitions):

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Team News

After the shock victory against Coventry in midweek, Jackson may choose to reward a couple of players with starts in the league, and McLean could get the nod at left-wing after scoring his first-ever goal for the club.

Bugiel was initially dropped on Wednesday night, but the striker is poised to return to the starting lineup, with new goalkeeper Alex Bass also expected to come in for Nikola Tzanev.

Ben Foster was rested on Tuesday night, and while Mark Howard kept a clean sheet against Wigan, Parkinson is likely to start the former Premier League goalkeeper.

With Paul Mullin still out injured due to a punctured lung, having recently spent time recovering in Los Angeles, former AFC Wimbledon man Ollie Palmer is set to start at striker, where he could be joined by Sam Dalby.

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

Bass; Ogundere, Lewis, Pearce, Johnson; Tilley, Ball, Reeves, McLean; Al-Hamadi, Bugiel

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Foster; Forde, Cleworth, Tozer, O'Connell, Mendy; Jones, Young, Davies; Palmer, Dalby

We say: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Wrexham

AFC Wimbledon put in a spirited performance when they managed to defeat Championship promotion hopefuls Coventry on Wednesday night, which should give them confidence heading into a tough game.

However, despite their opening day defeat, Wrexham should have enough quality to get their first league win on the board.

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