AFC Wimbledon vs Plymouth preview
Monday 24 December 2018 13:23, UK
AFC Wimbledon look set to be without midfielder Scott Wagstaff for the visit of struggling Plymouth due to injury.
The 28-year-old was replaced just 10 minutes into Saturday's 2-1 win at Wycombe and he may be facing a spell on the sidelines.
Jake Jervis took Wagstaff's place at Adams Park and he will hope to retain his spot after scoring Wimbledon's second goal. Mitch Pinnock is available again after serving a one-match ban but Deji Oshilaja (ankle) and Joe Pigott (thigh) are expected to remain out for a while longer.
Plymouth are sweating on the fitness of Freddie Ladapo after he had to be substituted during Saturday's 3-0 home loss to Accrington because of an ankle problem. Boss Derek Adams must now wait and see if the 11-goal striker will be fit to play on Boxing Day, with Ryan Taylor an option to take his starting place if not.
Ruben Lameiras, who made a substitute appearance against Stanley after returning to the squad following illness, could also start if Adams decides to shake things up. Scott Wootton, Niall Canavan and Conor Grant are all closing in on returns to fitness but it remains to be seen when they will be available for the first team, while Jamie Ness is battling another calf injury.
Opta stats
AFC Wimbledon have lost all three of their meetings with Plymouth in League One; including play-offs, they had only lost two of 11 games against the Pilgrims in League Two before this (W5 D4).
Plymouth Argyle have never lost away at AFC Wimbledon in the EFL (P6 W3 D3 L0), the most they have visited an opponent in the Football League without ever suffering defeat.
Since joining the Football League in 2011-12, AFC Wimbledon have only ever won once on Boxing Day (P6 W1 D1 L4), a 2-0 win over Portsmouth in 2014.
Plymouth have lost just one of their last 19 Football League games on Boxing Day (W11 D7), a 2-0 defeat at Newport County in League Two in 2014.
AFC Wimbledon boss Wally Downes has never won a league match against Plymouth as a manager, drawing once and losing three times against them as Brentford manager between October 2002 and December 2003.