AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Prediction: Saddlers could sneak it in regulation time

AFC Wimbledon go to battle with Walsall at Wembley on Monday (15:01, Sky Sports Main Event) in the League Two play-off final, with a place in League 1 at stake. The Wombles have spent three seasons away from the third tier, while it has been six for the Saddlers.

This contest pits the team with the best defensive record in League Two (AFC Wimbledon) and the top scorers (Walsall), which should make for cracking entertainment under the arch. Below you will find my AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

AFC Wimbledon are to call upon the services of Sam Hutchinson, who underwent heart surgery after the defender fell ill following the final game of the regular season against Grimsby Town.

Dons boss Johnnie Jackson will likely stick with the same lineup that started both semi-final legs against Notts County - keeping clean sheets home and away.

Matty Stevens is the Wombles' top scorer this season with 20 goals in 55 competitive matches. He does not head into this game in the best of form, though, as he will be looking to end a 10-game drought without getting on the scoresheet.

He'll likely be joined by Marcus Browne up top to share the attacking burden, but it was defender Riley Harbottle and winger/wing-back Josh Neufville who delivered the goods against Notts County in the semi-finals.

Walsall boss Mat Sadler is set to be without the services of Priestley Farquharson and Ellis Harrison due to injury.

Oisin McEntee and Jack Earing are doubts to feature but both are battling hard to recover in time to make the squad at Wembley.

Sadler is also expected to name an unchanged lineup, with his side performing well against Chesterfield in both legs, as the Saddlers look to have put to rest their poor form that cost them automatic promotion.

This should include Birmingham City loanees George Hall and Alfie Chang, who have been showcasing what they can do after being plagued with injuries in recent years.

Levi Amantchi and Charlie Lakin, the scorers in the second leg, are likely to settle for places on the bench as a result, and Sadler may be saving them both as impact substitutes once again.

AFC Wimbledon vs Walsall Odds

Wimbledon have won their last three matches heading into Monday's final, and they are 7/4 to prevail in regulation time.

The two teams shared the spoils when they faced off in the West Midlands in March and the stalemate is on offer at 15/8 if you think the game will go to extra time.

Walsall are 15/8 (which has an implied probability of 34.8%) to prevail in 90 minutes, having also won their past three fixtures, as well as beating the Dons at Cherry Red Records Stadium back in November.

Under 2.5 goals has been a winning selection in each of Wimbledon's last eight appearances heading into this clash, while there have been fewer than three goals scored in four of Walsall's five latest matches.

Draw or Walsall and under 2.5 goals @ 1/1

This is a very tough game to call because as I said at the beginning, this is the best defence against the top scorers in the division. AFC Wimbledon could be resolute, as they have been throughout the campaign, and narrowly sneak the game, or Walsall's attackers will be able to break down their stubborn defence, like they have done already this term.

However, the match-winner in south-west London was Nathan Lowe, who was recalled by Stoke City midway through the season - which hugely contributed to the Saddlers' drop in form.

Credit must go to Sadler and his players, though, as they have done well to arrest that form and step up in time for the play-offs. Victory at Crewe set them up for their two-legged tie with Chesterfield, and showed signs of their early season form in both games.

Wimbledon's defensive strength poses a problem but the Saddlers have beaten the Wombles away from home, and held them to a draw at the Bescot Stadium in late March.

I think covering draw or Walsall is a sensible selection for covering the Saddlers here and I've improved the odds by adding under 2.5 goals, which has struck in AFC Wimbledon's past eight matches - as well as both meetings between the two clubs in the regular season.

Taylor Allen 1+ shots on target @ 7/4

Walsall's versatile defender Taylor Allen has been a colossus for Sadler's team this term and has been an asset when it comes to goals and assists. The 24-year-old contributed 10 goals and seven assists in the regular campaign, but he was also on the scoresheet in the play-off semi-final first leg against Chesterfield, scoring from the penalty spot.

It was his third goal from the penalty spot this term, and this has me thinking that he's worth backing to register a shot on target on Monday. He has shown that he can be clinical from 12 yards, but he has also been a handful from other set-pieces, which could also be key in a game against a resilient back line.

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