Match Previews

🗞️ Preview: AFC Wimbledon vs. Bolton Wanderers

13th August 2021

Wanderers prepare for their first away fixture of the 2021/22 season with a trip to Plough Lane to take on AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

Both teams will head into the fixture with a fair amount of confidence following midweek victories in the Carabao Cup. Wanderers edged Sky Bet Championship side Barnsley on penalties at the University of Bolton Stadium after a goalless draw, and AFC Wimbledon were victorious against London neighbours Charlton Athletic, winning 1-0 at the Valley.

The Dons also got their league campaign off to a winning start, with a 2-1 victory at Doncaster Rovers last weekend, whilst Wanderers were held to a 3-3 draw at home to MK Dons.

Pre-match quotes: From the bosses

Ian Evatt: “It’ll be a tough and difficult game. They have changed formations a few times and played different systems, so they’re a difficult team to prepare for. But, we know what we are going to have to do is show character and courage, and fight and battle. Hopefully, if we do that we can implement our own game style on them.”

Mark Robinson: “He (Ian Evatt) has done an incredible job. Their results were unbelievable after the start they had last season. They play really good football, and they’re really hardworking and on the front, so it’s going to be a really, really tough challenge.

“But, I think it’s great that we’ve got to play a club like Bolton on Saturday. No disrespect to any other club, but to play a club so rich in history is absolutely perfect for the monumental game that it is on Saturday”

Team News:

In his pre-match press conference, manager Ian Evatt has said he is happy with the squad of players he has to choose from heading to London. Ricardo Almeida Santos returned to the starting eleven on Tuesday evening and could retain his place in central defence on Saturday.

Impressive performances during the week from the likes of Elias Kachunga, Kieran Lee, and Lloyd Isgrove could see them push for places in the starting eleven.

Tickets and Travel

There are a small number of tickets remaining for Wanderers’ trip to AFC Wimbledon. The cut-off time for purchase is 4pm this (Friday) afternoon. Please note, should you purchase a ticket(s), you will have to collect them from the Ticket Office by 5pm this (Friday) afternoon.

How to Buy

Online – www.eticketing.co.uk/bwfc

Phone – 01204 328 888

Unfortunately, our official coach travel has sold out.

For those supporters who would like a post-match drink then the Halfway House and The Earlsfield public houses right next to Earlsfield Train station accept away supporters and it is about a 10-minute walk from the stadium.

Please note: AFC Wimbledon NO longer play at Kingsmeadow, and are now at Plough Lane. The address for their new stadium is as follows: Plough Lane, London, SW17 0NR

Cashless at Plough Lane

For the weekend’s fixture, AFC Wimbledon will be testing a semi cashless Stadium. This means that most of the Stadium will only accept card payments apart from the club shop and Matchday Magazine sellers. Fans who turn up on the day with only cash will be able to purchase vouchers in denominations of £10 at the Matchday Magazine stalls which can then be used to buy food and drinks in the concessions.

Last Time Out

Wanderers have never faced AFC Wimbledon at the newly built Plough Lane, and the last visit to London to take on the Dons came in March 2020 when Keith Hill’s side travelled to Kingsmeadow. Neither team could find a breakthrough and had to settle for a point apiece and a goalless draw.

AFC Wimbledon 0-0 Bolton Wanderers | Saturday 7 March 2020

Line-Up: Matthews, Lowe (Emmanuel 48), Nsiala, Delaney, Fleming, L. Murphy, Hamilton, Crawford (Darcy 68), Dodoo, Politic, D. Murphy (Georgiou 76)

Unused Subs: Alexander, Bunney, Brockbank, Faal.