Two sides at opposite ends of League Two face each other to kick off 2025 with the home side looking to push away from the bottom while the away team look to stay in the promotion spots.
League Two
Our 3 predictions for Newport County vs AFC Wimbledon
- 1st prediction: AFC Wimbledon to win or draw
- 2nd prediction: Under 3.5 goals in the match
- 3rd prediction: Both teams to score
1st prediction for Newport County vs AFC Wimbledon: AFC Wimbledon to win or draw 13/100
AFC Wimbledon are one of the league’s form sides; they’ve been steadily climbing the table in recent months and have capitalised on rivals faltering to reach second in the table. While they are a way behind Walsall, they are in the promotion spots which will breed confidence ahead of this game. With only one league loss in their last five, form is on their side, while Newport have only one win in the same period. Despite being the away side, all the signs point to a positive result for AFC Wimbledon.
2nd prediction for Newport County vs AFC Wimbledon: Over 2.5 goals in the game 79/100
There’s going to be goals in this one, but potentially not several per team. Despite lying 18th, Newport are pretty good going forward, with 29 goals scored this season. They’ve also conceded 38 already, so their games are often high-scoring. They’ll have to get past a mean AFC Wimbledon back line, which boasts the best defensive record in the division with only 18 conceded. While they aren’t incredible going forward, they should be able to exploit Newport’s frailties to score at least once. The reverse fixture also supports this prediction, with a 2-2 draw when the two sides last met before Christmas. If that’s anything to go by, it should be a good game.
3rd prediction for Barnsley vs Wrexham: Both teams to score 73/100
Again, the reverse fixture and both sides’ records thus far this season support this prediction. Both teams scored when AFC Wimbledon were the hosts, and with a combined 62 goals this season, you’d think this would happen again with at least one score per team. Wimbledon have scored in all but one of their last six and Newport all but two, though the Exiles have seen their games descend into attacking classics, with two games seeing more than seven goals scored. With the styles both sides employ, don’t be surprised to see the two teams hit the net.
Best odds for Newport County vs AFC Wimbledon
| Bookmaker | Newport County | Draw | AFC Wimbledon |
| MyriadPlay | 7/2 | 27/10 | 13/20 |
| Gentleman Jim | 7/2 | 14/5 | 2/3 |
| Betarno | 7/2 | 137/50 | 7/10 |
Full preview of the game: last results and head to head
Coming into this game, form for the two sides varies. Newport had been on a good run but have dropped off recently with only one win in six, leaving them firmly in the bottom half. On the other hand, AFC Wimbledon are in fine form which has seen them catapulted into the play-off picture, with a strong defence a key part of their resurgence. In their last games, this form is roughly matched with Newport falling 2-0 to runaway leaders Walsall, while AFC Wimbledon beat Gillingham 1-0.
In this fixture’s history, it’s a fairly mixed picture. AFC Wimbledon are winless in three with two draws, and draws are the most common result. Half the encounters have been draws, and that record could continue this weekend.
Confrontation
Where to watch Newport County vs AFC Wimbledon
Here’s where you can watch both sides’ first game of 2024, either live or televised:
- Location: Rodney Parade, Newport, UK, NP 19 0UU
- Channel: Sky Sports+ (subscription required)
- Date and time: 7:45pm UK Time, Thursday 2nd January 2025
Probable lineups for Newport County vs AFC Wimbledon
Both sides come into this game with pretty much the same squad available as in previous games; the two teams both have a few longer term injuries but nothing new to worry about. Here’s how we think they’ll line up:
Newport County
Line up: N Townsend, S McLoughlin, C Brennan, M Baker, A Driscoll-Glennon; K Whitmore, K Evans, C Antwi; B Kamwa, M Spellman, K Hudlin
Injuries/suspensions: A Wildig, C Baker-Richardson (injured)
Coach: Nelson Jardim
AFC Wimbledon
Line up: O Goodman; R Harbottle, J O’Toole, R Johnson; J Neufville, A Smith, J Reeves, R Sawyers, J Tilley; J Kelly, M Stevens
Injuries/suspensions: J Lewis, O Bugiel, S Hutchinson (injured)
Coach: Johnnie Jackson
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