Walsall vs AFC Wimbledon preview
Monday 11 February 2019 16:59, UK
Walsall could be without captain George Dobson for their crucial clash with rock-bottom AFC Wimbledon.
Dobson is a doubt for the Saddlers after limping off during Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Blackpool with a hamstring injury. Boss Dean Keates will be looking to make changes after watching his side win just one of their last 11 games in all competitions.
Liam Kinsella will be looking to return after missing the last two games but Adam Chambers remains sidelined with a broken foot.
Wimbledon boss Wally Downes will also seek to make changes after his side's 2-0 defeat to Burton on Saturday. New signing Shane McLoughlin is set to feature for the first time after starting on the bench in the last two games.
But Kwesi Appiah is set to miss out after picking up an injury against Burton, meaning Joe Pigott is likely to deputise. Downes admitted his side face a "gargantuan" task to avoid relegation after their latest defeat left them 10 points off safety.
Opta stats
Both teams have scored in four of the five previous League One clashes between Walsall and AFC Wimbledon (three Walsall wins, two AFC Wimbledon wins), the only exception being a 1-0 win for the Wombles in February 2017.
Walsall's two previous home League One fixtures versus AFC Wimbledon have seen a combined nine goals (4.5 per game) - they won 3-1 in August 2016 before losing 2-3 in April last season.
Walsall won four of Dean Keates' first seven home league matches in charge, but have since won just two of their last 13 (D4 L7).
Wally Downes has won two of his last 18 away Football League matches as a manager, both 2-1 wins at Wycombe separated by 15 years and 37 days.
Walsall's last six home League One goals have all been scored by different players (Leahy, Gordon, Ferrier, Cook, Devlin and Edwards).
