Newport County return to Sky Bet League Two action on Tuesday night as they make the trip to AFC Wimbledon (7.45pm).
Ten days on from their goalless draw against high-flyers Notts County, the Exiles will be hoping to maintain their positive defensive form in the league, looking to secure a fifth clean sheet in six matches.
Pre-Match Views
Speaking ahead of tonights game, Nelson Jardim said: “Wimbledon are one of the main contenders in the division, so we know it is a huge game.
“They have a strong squad and have a good system in place. They have a clear way of playing and make it hard for any team when you play against them. They’re one of the consistent teams in the league of late this season, but also last season too.
“We’re expecting them to be on the front foot, try and create a lot of problems, but it’s down to us to have a clear idea of what to do and how to stop them.
“We have to compete first like we did the last game, and then anything can happen. I expect us to be ready and for us to cause them problems too.”
Opposition Form
Wimbledon are in fine form this season with the Dons currently in 7th place with 26 points. Johnnie Jackson’s side have scored 25 goals this campaign with striker Matt Stevens contributing heavily to that tally.
Stevens has been a standout performer this season with his goalscoring ability firing Wimbledon up the league table with 8 goals in 16 matches. His devastating finishing has led to him having the third highest goal per game ratio in League Two (0.67) and he will certainly be a player that the Exiles will be looking to keep quiet.
While having a great attack the Dons have also been solid at the back leading the stats for defensive output. They currently have both the joint most clean sheets (7) and least goals conceded per game (0.9).
In their most recent league outing, Wimbledon won 2-0 away to Tranmere Rovers with Stevens scoring his eighth of the season, and his strike partner Omar Bugiel also bagging a goal in the second half.
Meet the Officials
Lee Swabey will be the referee when Newport County take on AFC Wimbledon.
The experienced EFL official regularly oversees matches both in League One and League Two, and will officiate his first County game of the season.
Read more about Swabey and his officiating team HERE.
Shared Shirts
A number of player have played for both clubs over the years, with one of them being Fraser Franks.
The defender made 28 appearances for Wimbledon and went on to have two spells at the Exiles. In 2012, Franks was loaned to Newport County, where he made one appearance before injury problems continued to plague his career.
He later rejoined Newport in 2018, after several years away, and contributed to the team’s FA Cup run. Franks captained Newport in their famous 2–1 victory over Leicester City in the third round of the FA Cup in January 2019. Sadly, his playing career was cut short that same year due to a heart issue, but his contributions were important for both clubs during his time at each.
Shane McLoughlin is another current County player who has represented both clubs. The 27-year-old joined AFC Wimbledon in January 2019 on an 18-month deal, having previously played for the likes of Wealdstone. In July of 2023, McLoughlin joined Newport County and he continues to be a key part of Nelson Jardim’s squad.
Last Time Out
The last game between these two sides was came back in March, with the Exiles triumphing 2-0 in London.
County started the game brilliantly as Bryn Morris’ emphatic finish from outside the box opened the scoring ten minutes in. In the second half, centre back Kyle Jameson secured all three points for the Amber Army after the defender netted his first goal for County.
Key Facts
- AFC Wimbledon have failed to win any of their last four Football League games against Newport County (D3 L1), though they have only once failed to score against the Exiles in their ten EFL meetings.
- Newport County have won just one of their last five away games against Wimbledon (D2 L2), but that win came last season, a 2-0 success.
- Wimbledon are winless in their last three home league games (D1 L2) and could lose back-to-back home matches for the first time since October 2023.
- Newport County have struggled in recent away league form, winning only one of their last eight league games (D3 L4), and have failed to score in five of those matches.
