Wimbledon vs Northampton Prediction: Cobblers can claim a semi-final spot

AFC Wimbledon have eased their League 1 relegation fears with back-to-back victories and should be feeling confident as they prepare to take on divisional rivals Northampton in an FA Trophy quarter-final clash at Plough Lane Stadium on Tuesday (19:00 GMT).

Below are my Wimbledon vs Northampton predictions, as well as the essential team news and match odds for the encounter in the capital.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Team News

AFC Wimbledon must decide whether to involve former Liverpool striker Layton Stewart, who joined them on deadline day in a loan switch from Swiss side FC Thun.

Defender Joe Lewis hasn’t featured since being sent off in last month’s 1-0 loss at home to Doncaster due to an unspecified injury.

Football Odds

Northampton's Tom Eaves will be hoping to keep his place after making a goalscoring return to the starting line-up in Saturday’s 3-1 success at home to Stevenage.

Jake Evans is a doubt, but Tyrese Fornah should come back into contention. Kyle Edwards faces a significant spell on the sidelines, and Jon Guthrie is unlikely to feature.

Wimbledon vs Northampton Odds

Wimbledon are 11/10 to pick up the win, while Northampton can be backed at 23/10 to secure an away success. The draw is a 23/10 chance.

The markets anticipate a fairly low-scoring game with under 2.5 goals priced up at 8/11 and overs on offer at 1/1.

Northampton to win tie @ 5/4

Northampton are engaged in an ongoing scrap for League 1 survival, but they have performed to a high standard in the EFL Trophy and can go a step further by defeating AFC Wimbledon in the capital.

Cobblers’ manager Kevin Nolan has signalled his intention to send out a strong side while admitting that changes will be made to his weekend starting line-up.

He clearly wants Northampton to do well in the EFL Trophy and has seen the team win all five of their matches since the start of the competition.

The Cobblers locked horns with Wimbledon in a league match in December and claimed a comfortable 3-1 success.

A more even contest is in store at Plough Lane, where Wimbledon will be backed by the majority of a vocal crowd.

However, the Wombles have been beaten in three of their last five home fixtures, and they face disappointment against a Northampton side which may have slightly greater strength-in-depth.

Today's Football Fixtures

Tom Eaves to score anytime @ 13/5

Wimbledon have gone five home games without keeping a clean sheet, and their defensive struggles may encourage Northampton striker Tom Eaves, who is a man in form.

The towering Eaves has notched in three of his last seven appearances and looks overpriced to make his mark in south London.