AFC WIMBLEDON v BURTON ALBION @ Pirelli Stadium
FEBRUARY 10, 2015 @ 19:45
AFC Wimbledon visit League leaders Burton Albion, who remain unbeaten at home since October 18, hoping to repeat September’s impressive 3-0 win over the Brewers.
Last weekend’s two-goal hero Adebayo Akinfenwa opened his account for the Dons when Burton visited Kingsmeadow earlier in the season and the club’s top scorer’s goals are vital to Wimbledon in the wake of Matt Tubbs’ departure.
Since Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink took over at the Pirelli Stadium in mid November, the Brewers, who claimed top spot last weekend with a win over Cheltenham, have lost only once.
Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley is sweating on the fitness of highly-rated academy graduate Will Nightingale and League Two’s leading assist provider George Francomb ahead of the tricky fixture.
However defensive trio Jake Goodman, Jack Smith and Andy Frampton will all be unavailable through injury.
Despite the absentees, the Dons will be optimistic as they are on an impressive run of their own – unbeaten in three and just five points off the play-off places.
Beastly striker Akinfenwa’s form has helped the Dons, who have scored just one goal less than tonight’s opponents, finding the net at least once in each of their last seven games.
Their chances are increased by Burton’s defensive record which, under former Chelsea favourite Hasselbaink, has recorded just one clean sheet in the Brewers’ last five games.
Although manager Ardley operates primarily on a game-by-game basis – collecting points away to leaders Burton Albion and third place Shrewsbury this week would be a huge boost to the Dons’ play off hopes.
Picture courtesy of Adam Procter, with thanks
