Aiming to strengthen their position in the top three of the League Two table, AFC Wimbledon will welcome Barrow to the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Saturday, March 22, 2025. The hosts moved into the automatic promotion spots with a win last time out but only lead fourth-placed Doncaster Rovers on goal difference, while their visitors have climbed back up to 17th spot with a three-match unbeaten run.
AFC Wimbledon returns to action with hopes of consolidating their automatic promotion bid with consecutive victories. They moved back into the top three last weekend, marking a significant turnaround in their season after previous disappointing finishes, having placed 21st and 10th over the last two campaigns. Under the management of Johnnie Jackson, the Dons have amassed 63 points from their 37 League Two outings to date, conceding only 26 goals—the best defensive record in the division.
The Dons experienced a rough patch early in March, suffering defeats against Cheltenham Town and Morecambe, but a resilient 2-1 victory over Notts County set the tone for their latest match. On March 15, 2025, they secured another crucial win against Carlisle United, with goals from Callum Maycock and Alistair Smith propelling them to victory. The team will aim for their 19th league win of the season and a 13th on home turf against Barrow.
In contrast, Barrow heads into this clash on a positive note. Manager Andy Whing has molded his team since taking charge in January, leading them to a three-match unbeaten run, highlighted by wins over Notts County and Accrington Stanley. They narrowly escaped defeat against Morecambe, drawing 2-2, with their sheer determination paying off; they scored two goals after trailing by two against the Shrimps, showcasing their resilience.
Wimbledon will be without midfielder James Ball, sidelined by injury, but they are optimistic Matty Stevens can end a seven-match goal drought. The forward recorded two goals against Barrow in the reverse fixture, proving his abilities to change the outcome and will look to reignite his scoring touch this Saturday. Stevens, who has 16 league goals, will lead the attacking front for Wimbledon while the team’s defense remains solid with Sam Hutchinson, Joe Lewis, and Ryan Johnson anchoring at the back.
Barrow’s squad has also faced challenges, particularly with defender Theo Vassell unavailable. The Bluebirds have relied on their attacking cohesion, and they may put forward a lineup designed to challenge Wembley’s strong defense. According to predictions, they might look to include talents like Emile Acquah, Connor Mahoney, and Kian Spence in a front three with Robbie Gotts continuously supporting the midfield dynamic.
Both teams have performed admirably in their head-to-head encounters in League Two. Historically, the two have been very evenly matched—each having won twice against the other with one draw. AFC Wimbledon is unbeaten in their last three matches against Barrow, with their last meeting ending in a 3-1 victory for the Dons. In addition, their inaugural Football League meeting saw Barrow clinch a narrow win at the Cherry Red Records Stadium early last season.
As AFC Wimbledon aims to assert its dominance, Barrow will desperately seek to close the gap on the mid-table pack, hoping to secure a top 17 finish by the end of the season. Wins against strong opposition like Wimbledon will boost their confidence and aspirations.
The anticipation leading up to the Saturday kickoff at 3 pm is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting the matchup on Sky Sports+. The Dons are expected to rely heavily on their home ground advantage, while Barrow needs to capitalize on scoring chances if they are to pull off an upset.
As the tension mounts, AFC Wimbledon is considered favorite for this match-up, with bookmakers placing their odds at 9/10 to emerge victorious. The odds of both teams scoring stand at 5/4, with Matty Stevens tipped to score any time at 11/5 following his fruitful performances.
In summary, AFC Wimbledon is on the rise, appearing well-positioned to claim a victory that will bolster their promotion campaign, while Barrow looks to build on their recent form and challenge the Dons' plans. The matchup promises to be a defining moment for both sides as they approach the final stretch of the season.
