Sports Mole preview Tuesday’s EFL Cup clash between AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham kick off their EFL Cup campaign when they lock the horns in the first round at Cherry Red Records Stadium on Tuesday.
The two sides faced off in this season’s League Two opener on July 30, with Johnnie Jackson’s side earning a comfortable 2-0 victory in front of their home fans.
Match preview
© Reuters
AFC Wimbledon continue to struggle for away form as they were held to a draw by Hartlepool United last Saturday.
In an end-to-end affair at Victoria Park, both teams were guilty of a lethargic display at the attacking end of the field where they failed to convert their chances before settling for a share of the booty.
Wimbledon have failed to taste victory on the road in any of their competitive outings since the start of the year – drawing four and losing nine – with their last away win when they beat Accrington Stanley 2-0 on December 7.
Johnnie JacksonThe side, who were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, have now managed just one win in their last six games in all competitions, drawing two and losing twice.
© Reuters
Like the hosts, Gillingham were relegated from League One last season when they collected 40 points from 46 games to finish 21st in the league table, only below 20th-placed Fleetwood Town on goal difference.
The Gills kicked off their League Two campaign on July 30, when they suffered a 2-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon before bouncing back to claim a hard-earned 1-0 win over Rochdale last time out.
In this meeting, Scott KashketThe ninth-minute goal was enough to separate the teams at Priestfield Stadium as Robbie StockdaleThe men of were condemned to a third defeat on rebound in all competitions.
Gillingham have now tasted no victory in any of their last four competitive away games, drawing one and losing three since March’s 2-1 victory over Accrington Stanley.
Whereas Neil HarrisThe squad will be looking to end this drought and get their cup off the ground, the next step is an opposing team they have failed to beat in their last four attempts, losing twice and managing two draws since a 2-1 victory in November 2020.
AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):
Gillingham form (all competitions):
Team News
© Reuters
After keeping a second consecutive clean sheet, we expect Jackson to name an unchanged back line on Tuesday, which means we should see a back three of Guillaume Rossignol, Alex Pearce and Lee Brown shielding Nik Tzaev in order to.
On the injury front, the 23-year-old midfielder Luke McCormick is a doubt for AFC Wimbledon after missing the last three games through injury.
Meanwhile, Gillingham will be without the former Ross County man Ashley Maynard Brewerwho has been out of action since January with a serious knee injury.
He is joined on the club’s injury chart by the 31-year-old midfielder Stuart O’Keefewho is set to miss his third game in a row with a muscle problem.
Kashket scored his first-ever goal for the Gills in the win over Rochdale last time out and former Crewe man Alexandra is set to retain his place in the final third alongside the Scottish striker. Mikael Mandron.
Possible starting line-up of AFC Wimbledon:
Killip; Menayese, Lacey, Murray; Sterry, Featherstone, Niang, Ferguson; Cooke, Hastie, Umerah
Gillingham possible starting composition:
Morris; Wright, Ehmer, Elkan, Law; Lee, Williams; Green, Reeves, Kashket; mandron
We say: AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Gillingham
Gillingham have not won any of their last four visits to Cherry Red Records Stadium, losing three and drawing one since a 4-2 victory in March 2019. Wimbledon have enjoyed the best of this game and we support them to come away with a small victory once again.
For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
Trick
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this game. Click here to find out what else they predict for this game and for more of their proven football tips.More than 1.5: loop