AFC Wimbledon face Fulham in the Carabao Cup second round on Thursday night, a fixture that revives a rivalry dormant for over 25 years. The Dons, currently 23rd in League One with one point from two matches, travel to Craven Cottage for a rare meeting with their Premier League opponents.
The last time these two sides met was on April 28, 2001, in a Division One match. That game ended 1-1, with Jason Euell putting AFC Wimbledon ahead from the penalty spot in the 74th minute before Luis Boa Morte equalised with another penalty for a Fulham side that had already secured promotion.
The 2000/01 season encounter was significant for both clubs. Fulham, managed by Jean Tigana and featuring league top scorer Louis Saha, had been top of the table since matchday two and arrived with 100 points. Their only five defeats that season came across 46 games. AFC Wimbledon took a late lead through Euell's spot-kick, but the draw ultimately took Fulham to 101 points while the Dons missed out on the play-offs and promotion.
Fulham had already beaten AFC Wimbledon 3-0 in the away fixture earlier that same season. The draw at Selhurst Park was a spirited performance from the Dons against a dominant side, but it wasn't enough to extend their campaign.
The two London clubs have met 11 times in total across league and cup competitions. Fulham hold the advantage with six victories to AFC Wimbledon's two, with three matches ending in draws. They have faced each other eight times in the league, with those meetings spread across three divisions: twice in Division One, four times in Division Two, and twice in Division Three.
Their three FA Cup meetings have all gone Fulham's way. The Cottagers advanced from both ties mentioned in the roundtable.io report, including a 6-0 replay victory in 1930 and a 3-0 win in 2000.
Johnnie Jackson's side enters this cup tie seeking momentum after a challenging start to the League One season. With two games played, they sit 23rd in the table with just a single point, having drawn one and lost one. Their goal difference stands at minus three, with no goals scored and three conceded. They are already five points behind early leaders Bradford City.
The immediate focus after Thursday's cup match returns to league action, with a home game against Wigan Athletic scheduled for Saturday. Wigan currently sit 24th, making it a vital early-season encounter at the bottom of the table.
The winner of Thursday's match at Craven Cottage will earn a trip to the London Stadium to face West Ham United in the third round. For AFC Wimbledon, a positive result would provide a significant boost ahead of their key league meeting with Wigan. It would also mark a notable cup achievement against top-flight opposition.
This cup run offers a distraction from league concerns and a chance to build confidence. The Dons will need to tighten up defensively, having conceded three in two league games, while finding a cutting edge in attack. The current squad's depth and form can be tracked on our squad and stats pages. Progress in the competition could also provide valuable financial rewards for the club.
The historical context adds an extra layer to this cup tie, but the present reality is clear. AFC Wimbledon must use this platform to kickstart their season, beginning with a performance that honours that spirited draw from 25 years ago.
