League Two’s AFC Wimbledon welcome Premier League high-flyers Newcastle United for the third round of the EFL Cup after both sides went through on penalties in the last stage.
AFC Wimbledon come into this match as they underdogs but look like one of the more impressive League Two sides this campaign. Newcastle on the other hand, will want to bounce back after their loss to Fulham at the weekend.
Possible Line-up: Owen Goodman; Isaac Ogundere, Joe Lewis, Riley Harbottle; James Tilley, Myles Hippolyte, James Ball, Alistair Smith, Josh Neufville; Omar Bugiel, Mathew Stevens.
AFC Wimbledon's most recent result before this game was a goalless draw away to Bradford City. Considering Bradford’s form so far, that’s a very strong result and adds to praise of a Wimbledon side that look like serious contenders for the play-offs.
Before last weekend, Wimbledon smashed their rivals MK Dons 3-0 in front of the home crowd, and have only lost once in the league so far. 13 points from their opening six games is a very strong return.
The vibe around the home side for this game is immaculate at the moment, with club captain Jake Reeves extending his contract recently. And who’s to forget, at the end of last month they knocked Premier League’s Ipswich Town out of this very competition on penalties at their home ground.
Possible Line-up: Nick Pope; Lloyd Kelly, Dan Burn, Fabian Schär, Kieran Trippier; Joe Willock, Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton; Harvey Barnes, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon.
The defeat for Eddie Howe’s side will be a huge blow for them heading to Wimbledon. If they’d beaten Fulham at Craven Cottage, they would’ve been briefly top of the Premier League.
However, they have more than enough quality to brush past this Wimbledon side. If they can come away from this game in strong spirits, they would’ve turned a corner and progressed in a competition that means so much to them. Howe has said before how much he wants to win a trophy for Newcastle many times before, and reached the final of this tournament in 2023.
Newcastle knocked out Nottingham Forest in the last round of this competition on penalties. In the league they have three wins, 1 draw and 1 loss. Harvey Barnes has been their standout player so far, with three goals and one assist in 2024/25.
There have been 23 meetings between these sides in their history. Wimbledon have won 10 of those games, whilst Newcastle have come away victorious in seven. Six of the meetings have been drawn.
The last time these sides met was in January of 2000, when Wimbledon won at home 2-0.
Wimbledon and Newcastle United first met in 1986, with Newcastle winning the game at home.
22nd January 2000 - Wimbledon 2-0 Newcastle United - Premier League 21st August 1999 - Newcastle United 3-3 AFC Wimbledon - Premier League 24th April 1999 - Wimbledon 1-1 Newcastle United - Premier League 28th November 1998 - Newcastle United 3-1 Wimbledon - Premier League 31st March 19998 - Wimbledon 0-0 Newcastle United - Premier League
These two sides have not played each other in almost 25 years, so head-to-head results will not matter. Whilst AFC Wimbledon went through some hard times and have had to rise back up the footballing ladder, Newcastle United have usually remained a top-flight club. Newcastle United have more talent, quality, and fire-power than Wimbledon and should comfortably win this game.
We think the most likely outcome for this game will be a Newcastle United victory and over 2.5 Goals.
Through our bookmakers, you can get odds of 5.6 which would return £18.33 from a £10 stake.
AFC Wimbledon 0-3 Newcastle United
Newcastle will do everything they can to secure a comfortable win in this competition, and get back to winning ways. They won’t be scared to play a lot of their first team to ensure no risks against a side that has nothing to lose.
Elsewhere in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, Chelsea welcome Barrow, Leicester City visit Walsall and Wycombe Wanderers host Aston Villa.
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