Halifax vs AFC Wimbledon Predictions

Since they were last in FA Cup action, Wimbledon have parted company with Neal Ardley and are reportedly set to appoint Kevin Nolan as manager in the coming days. Until then, Simon Bassey has the job of caretaker manager. Whoever is in charge when the Dons travel to The Shay on Saturday will need to ensure that a better performance than the one at Haringey is delivered or the League One side will find themselves out before the big boys enter the competition in round three.

From a Halifax point of view, this is a reasonably sizable task. Wimbledon may not be one of League One’s most potent forces, but they’re not as bad as the division three league table suggests, while Halifax aren’t exactly a National League side that is thriving at present.

The hosts come into this match off the back of a potentially damaging 4-0 defeat against Ebbsfleet, while they’ve now won just one of their last 14 matches in the fifth tier. Such form certainly doesn’t bode well against a side from the third division, that’s for sure.

Sometimes results can go awry without a team playing too badly, as has been the case for Wimbledon to an extent, though that’s certainly not the case for Halifax. At times the Yorkshire side have offered promise, but that promise has been few and far between. On average, Saturday’s hosts are giving up 1.66 expected goals, while they’re averaging a measly 1.05 at the other end.

In all honesty, despite their struggles in the league, this is a big opportunity for AFC Wimbledon to boost confidence and book their place in the third round, where they could easily be rewarded with a tie against Premier League opponents, as was the case when they travelled to take on Spurs at Wembley last season.

On their travels, Wimbledon really haven’t been that bad this season. They’re averaging a pleasing 1.55 expected goals on the road, while they’re giving up just 1.11 at the other end. Such stats are far better than those boasted by Halifax against lesser teams in the National League. Results have often gone against the Dons, but let’s face it, Halifax will offer less resistance than most in League One.

From a betting point of view, ‘Wimbledon to Win & Under 3.5 Goals’ appeals most. While they’re unlikely to go to The Shay and hand out a battering, unless of course Halifax throw the towel in, the visitors have the quality to come out on top. With an expected goal difference of +0.44 away from home in League One, against a side with an expected goal difference of -0.34 on their own patch in the National League, the visitors are backed to advance to the next round, thanks to a reasonably routine victory.