AFC Wimbledon v Bradford preview
Friday 22 December 2017 13:53, UK
Defender Paul Robinson will miss AFC Wimbledon's Sky Bet League One clash against Bradford on Saturday.
The 35-year-old centre-back is suffering with a back injury, but could return for the Boxing Day trip to Portsmouth. Forward Harry Forrester will also be out of action as he serves a suspension. Kwesi Appiah is pushing for his first start since September after coming on as a second-half substitute last weekend following a hamstring injury.
Bradford midfielder Jake Reeves could be in line for his first start in four matches after returning from a knock to replace the misfiring Paul Taylor at half-time of last weekend's win at Southend. Defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival, who was taken off after an hour at Roots Hall, is a doubt having undergone a scan on a hamstring issue as is forward Jordan Gibson after tweaking his groin in training last week.
However, fellow defenders Tony McMahon and Matt Kilgallon and midfielder Nicky Law are all expected to feature despite feeling after effects of the win this week.
Defender Adam Chicksen, who has been out for nine weeks with a hamstring tear, is expected to return by the end of next month but goalkeeper Colin Doyle (knee) and Alex Jones (ankle) are not likely to be back until February and March respectively.
Opta stats
AFC Wimbledon have lost three of the last four league games between the sides (W1), after winning the opening two. The Bantams have won each of the latest two clashes, including the latest face-off at The Cherry Reds Records Stadium in October 2016 (3-2).
The Dons have never kept a clean sheet against Bradford in the league; indeed, on five out of six occasions across League One and Two, this fixture has seen both teams score (24 goals).
AFC Wimbledon have failed to score in 23 league games in 2017; three more than any team in the English top four tiers.
Bradford have won their last four league games on the road; their best run in the league in over 32 years (5 consecutive away victories in February 1985).
Prutton's prediction
AFC Wimbledon have been on a poor run in Sky Bet League One and now find themselves deep in relegation trouble.
They're up against one of the form sides in the league in Bradford, who have three wins on the spin and are closing in on the top two. Another win for the Bantams.
David Prutton predicts: 0-1 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
