AFC Wimbledon face a stern test of their League One credentials this Saturday when they travel to second-placed Stockport County. The Dons are looking to snap a six-match winless run in the league and overturn a dismal recent record against the Hatters.
Johnnie Jackson's side sit 17th in the league table with 13 points from 12 games, having scored just eight goals while conceding 19. Their recent form of one draw and four defeats in the last five matches was compounded by a 2-1 loss to Arsenal Under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, confirming their exit from the competition. Callum Maycock scored their consolation goal in that match, his first of the season.
Stockport's stronghold
Stockport present a formidable challenge, especially at Edgeley Park where they have won their last three matches and scored in every competitive home game this season. They are two points off the top of League One and have the division's joint-top scorer in Kyle Wootton, who has nine goals. Their only recent blip was a 1-0 defeat at Oxford United last weekend, which ended a six-game unbeaten league sequence.
Defensive concerns for Dons
Wimbledon's primary issue has been a leaky defence. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five outings and have lost all three league games in which they conceded first this season. The 5-0 thrashing at Sheffield Wednesday and a 3-0 home defeat to Mansfield Town highlight the scale of the problem. They will need to be far more resilient against a prolific Stockport attack that has scored 21 league goals, the fourth-highest tally in the division.
Squad challenges
Both sides have significant injury lists to contend with. Stockport will be without defenders Brad Hills and Kyron Gordon, while midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans is also a doubt. Wimbledon's absentee list is longer, with Marcus Browne, Donnell McNeilly, Joe Kirby, Dujuan Richards, Delano McCoy-Splatt and Matty Stevens all sidelined. Jayden Stockley, the Dons' top scorer with five goals, will be relied upon to provide a threat, though he has not scored in his last four appearances.
Recent history
The last meeting between the sides in April ended in a 2-0 win for Stockport, extending Wimbledon's losing run against them to four matches. In those four defeats, the Dons have conceded nine goals and scored only once. The match at Edgeley Park kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, 31 October, and is Wimbledon's final fixture before the November international break.
