AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Prediction: League Two Play-Off Final Tips & Predicted Lineups

EFL pundit Gab Sutton looks ahead to the League Two play-off final, with Walsall and Wimbledon vying to join Doncaster, Port Vale and Bradford in League One.

Read on for the match preview, betting tips, and predicted lineups.

AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Preview

Whereas in League One, Charlton and Leyton Orient got to the Play-Off Final through being two of the division’s form sides in the second half of the season, it’s been almost the opposite in League Two.

Walsall approached late January with what appeared to be an unassailable lead at the summit, only to miss out on automatic promotion with three wins in their final 21 league games.

Wimbledon haven’t dropped off quite as dramatically, but they did win just four of their last 16 - so both have done well to reclaim their form to progress through the Semi-Finals and reach Wembley for a golden opportunity to join Doncaster, Port Vale, and Bradford in the third-tier.

AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Betting Tips

My first bet is for Walsall to lift the trophy, which can be backed at even money with Paddy Power.

With both sides having won their last three games, including both Play-Off Semi-Final legs, the sides are hard to split, yet Walsall’s superior rate of chance creation could be the difference. 

Since boss Mat Sadler switched from the 3-1-4-2 he’s used all season for the final day win at Crewe, the team have been more competitive in midfield with greater cover in central areas, and because they’ve still got men into the box through powerful running from the likes of George Hall and Jamie Jellis, it’s strengthened rather than weakened their attacking output.

Whereas, Wimbledon have won three straight games 1-0 through their defensive resolve, without creating an awful lot going forward… 

The Dons have relied on wing-back Josh Neufville for pace, target man Omar Bugiel for a focal point, and poacher Matty Stevens for goals, but with the former becoming a marked man, Bugiel looking jaded and the latter with just one goal since mid-February, their threat has reduced.

Of course, Johnnie Jackson’s side have impressed in other ways of late: brave defending of their penalty box at Grimsby, Owen Goodman’s goalkeeping masterclass at Notts County, and a solid out-of-possession shape in the return leg.

And, there’s an argument that their defensive resolve could be an extremely important trait in a decisive, one-off final in which everything’s on the line, but it’s likely they won’t create much, and will therefore have to be clinical from a low volume and possibly quality of chances.

With that said, Walsall appeal at 19/10 (William Hill) to keep a clean sheet on Monday afternoon.

Levi Amantchi is priced at an attractive 9/1 with Boylesports in the Last Goalscorer market.

In the two Semi-Final legs with Chesterfield, target man Jamille Matt has started, with Amantchi coming on in the second half.

As such, it’s hard to envisage a scenario in which Amantchi doesn’t finish the game on the pitch, baring injury, and he can cause problems in the latter stages of matches with his pace and build.

Wimbledon’s defence is very good at defending their own penalty area from set pieces and crosses into the box, but they’re not especially quick, so could struggle with balls over the top for the centre-forward. 

AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Predicted Lineups

Connor Barrett is back fit to compete with Nathan Asiimwe for the right wing-back spot for the Saddlers, who otherwise have no fresh injury concerns.

Wimbledon, meanwhile, could name a similar XI to the one that beat Notts County 1-0 in the Semi-Final 2nd leg, to secure a 2-0 aggregate victory. 

Walsall Predicted Lineup: Tommy Simkin; David Okagbue, Harry Williams, Taylor Allen; Connor Barrett, Alfie Chang, Ryan Stirk, Liam Gordon; Jamie Jellis, George Hall, Jamille Matt.

AFC Wimbledon Predicted Lineup: Owen Goodman; Riley Harbottle, Joe Lewis, Ryan Johnson; Jamie Tilley, Ali Smith, Jake Reeves, Myles Hippolyte, Josh Neufville; Matty Stevens Marcus Browne.

The official AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall starting lineups will be included in the graphic below approximately one hour before kick-off.