AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

The League Two playoff final pits two sides with nothing to separate them heading into this game, with the two best-placed teams in the league standings meeting at Wembley.

AFC Wimbledon are coming into this game with three consecutive 1-0 victories at the right time for the designated home side for this fixture. Previously, the Dons were winless in their previous four, having only scored once in those four matches.

Walsall are coming into this game with similar form to their opponents, as the Saddlers have also won their previous three matches. However, Walsall showed better goal-scoring potency in the playoffs, scoring four across their two playoff fixtures and only conceding once.

Walsall slightly edged the two league meetings during the regular season, with a 1-0 victory against the Dons at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. The last two meetings between the two sides, have resulted in less than 2.5 goals, and because of the advantage Walsall had during the season, a 1-0 win for the Saddlers could be on the cards.

AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Walsall

AFC Wimbledon take on Walsall in the League Two playoff final at Wembley on Monday, 25th May, with both sides looking to secure promotion to the third tier of English Football.

Date: 26/05/2025

Location: Wembley Stadium, London.

Kick-Off: 3 pm

The final playoff fixture of the weekend sees AFC Wimbledon and Walsall face off at Wembley, with both sides being the best-performing league sides of their respective division heading into the playoffs.

AFC Wimbledon progressed to the final after beating early-season promotion contenders Notts County 2-0 on aggregate, with two consecutive 1-0 victories against the Magpies. The first leg was decided by an excellent header from defender Riley Harbottle in the 59th minute. AFC Wimbledon secured their spot at Wembley with an early strike from Josh Neufville inside the opening 10 minutes at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

AFC Wimbledon enjoyed a productive regular season, as the Dons finished fifth in League Two. AFC Wimbledon accumulated 73 points from 46 matches played, having scored 56 and conceded 35. Matthew Stevens was in excellent form for the Dons this season. The former Forest Green Rovers striker scored 17 league goals for AFC Wimbledon this season and averaged 0.8 shots on target per game.

As for Walsall, the playoffs will be a welcome opportunity for Matt Sadler's side, who squandered a glorious chance to win the league this season. The Saddlers had gone winless in 13 matches towards the season's final stages, which hampered their chances of gaining automatic promotion and being Champions.

Walsall's 4-1 aggregate victory against Chesterfield in the playoff semi-final was an excellent response to a disappointing end to the campaign. Alfie Chang scored his first professional goal for the Saddlers in the first leg after Tom Allen scored from the spot to give Walsall the lead away at Chesterfield. Walsall recorded a 2-1 victory in the second leg to progress to Wembley.

Walsall finished in fourth place in the league, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion by a single point to Bradford City.

The game will be available on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.

AFC Wimbledon Team News

Sam Hutchinson is unavailable due to medical concerns. Riley Harbottle and Ryan Johnson were both booked in the semi-final second leg against Notts County.

Walsall Team News

Conor Barrett should be available following his recent suspension, but he may only be a bench option for the Saddlers. Jack Earing is unavailable because of a sustained ankle injury.

AFC Wimbledon:

AFC Wimbledon are coming into this game, having won their previous three matches against Notts County (x2) and Grimsby Town (0-1). Prior to this run of form, the Dons had gone on a winless run of four matches, with two defeats against Port Vale (0-2), Gillingham (1-0) and two consecutive draws against Chesterfield (0-0) and Doncaster Rovers (1-1)

AFC Wimbledon's only victory in April came against Harrogate Town (1-0), which was only their second league win in 10 matches in League Two.

Walsall:

Walsall are coming into this game with similar form to their opponents, as the Saddlers have also won their previous three matches. Walsall had recorded two consecutive victories against Chesterfield (0-2 & 2-1), as prior to that, they had beaten Crewe Alexandra (0-1) thanks to a single goal from George Hall.

The victory against Crewe Alexandra came after the Saddlers had gone 13 league matches without a win, with eight draws and five losses for Walsall.

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