AFC Wimbledon vs Port Vale: League Two Promotion Battle Heats Up
Saturday’s League Two clash between AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale promises to be a pivotal encounter in the promotion battle, with both teams seeking to cement their position in the top tier. According to Sports Mole, the hosts are currently fifth in the standings, while Port Vale sit third, just a point behind second-placed Doncaster Rovers.
The hosts enter the match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Gillingham, which has left them reeling and struggling to keep pace with the top three. As Sports Mole reports, AFC Wimbledon’s recent form has been lacklustre, with just three wins from their last 14 games in League Two. The team’s manager, Johnnie Jackson, was left to lament another “missed opportunity” at full-time, highlighting the team’s failure to capitalize on scoring chances. With only two goals from their last four outings in League Two, Wimbledon’s attacking woes have become a pressing concern.
In contrast, Port Vale’s latest match against Grimsby Town ended in a 2-2 draw, with the Valiants coming from behind to earn a point. As Sports Mole notes, Darren Moore’s men are now just three points clear of fourth-placed Walsall, but a win on Saturday could see them seal automatic promotion to League One. The visitors have been in prolific form of late, scoring multiple goals in each of their last five League Two matches and netting 14 in total. Furthermore, they have scored in all nine of their away league games in 2025 so far, which bodes well for their chances of securing a positive result against Wimbledon.
AFC Wimbledon’s home form has been a concern, with just two victories from their last six matches at Plough Lane. As Sports Mole highlights, the team’s inability to win at home has raised questions about their ability to secure a top-three finish. Meanwhile, Port Vale have struggled on the road, managing just three victories from their last 12 away matches. However, a 3-2 triumph over Wimbledon earlier this term could give them confidence ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
In terms of team news, AFC Wimbledon will be without captain Jake Reeves, who is serving the third and final game of his three-match suspension. As Sports Mole reports, midfielder Sam Hutchinson has returned to the squad, while Myles Hippolyte is also back in training and nearing a return. However, Osman Foyo’s place in the starting lineup is uncertain, with Joe Pigott, Josh Kelly, and Omar Bugiel all vying for a spot.
Port Vale’s team news is also mixed, with wide man Sam Hart appearing to have avoided a serious injury. However, the status of Ben Garrity and Jack Shorrock remains uncertain, and Rekeem Harper may be replaced in midfield by Rhys Walters, Ronan Curtis, or Rico Richards.
Based on Sports Mole‘s analysis, the likely starting lineups for Saturday’s match are:
AFC Wimbledon: Goodman; Harbottle, Lewis, Johnson; Neufville, Maycock, Smith, Tilley; Stevens, Bugiel, Sasu
Port Vale: Amos; Smith, Hall, Debrah; Byers; Clark, Crossdale, Curtis, Hart; Tolaj, Stockley
Sports Mole predicts a 1-2 victory for Port Vale, citing Wimbledon’s struggles in front of goal and the visitors’ prolific form of late. With automatic promotion within their grasp, Moore’s men will be looking to make a statement against a Wimbledon side that is rapidly running out of time to secure a top-three finish.
The significance of this match cannot be overstated, with both teams seeking to achieve their goal of promotion to League One. As Sports Mole notes, a win for Port Vale could see them seal automatic promotion, while a victory for Wimbledon would keep their playoff hopes alive. With so much at stake, this promises to be a thrilling encounter that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Ultimately, the outcome of this match will have a significant impact on the League Two promotion battle, and Sports Mole‘s expert analysis provides the perfect insight into the key storylines and talking points.
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