Bristol Rovers vs AFC Wimbledon preview
Monday 22 October 2018 16:48, UK
Veteran defender Tony Craig is expected to be fit for Bristol Rovers' home game with AFC Wimbledon.
Craig suffered a cheek injury in Rovers' goalless draw against Oxford but an X-ray has revealed no lasting damage. Kyle Bennett and Sam Matthews are in contention for starting spots as Rovers seek to end an eight-and-a-half hour goal drought.
Tareiq Holmes-Dennis is closing in on full fitness after a knee injury, although this game is likely to be too soon for him.
Dons boss Neal Ardley is under growing pressure after seven defeats in eight games in all competitions. Ardley made four changes to the side on Saturday but could reshuffle the pack again after a timid 2-0 defeat at Blackpool.
Liam Trotter and Mitch Pinnock provide midfield options, especially if Ardley decides upon a change of formation. Six-goal striker Joe Pigott is also hoping for a recall after dropping to the bench at Blackpool.
Opta stats
Bristol Rovers lost both league matches against AFC Wimbledon last season, including a 3-1 home defeat in November 2017.
AFC Wimbledon's 3-1 away win at Bristol Rovers last season is their only victory at the Memorial Stadium - they lost their other five league matches there between 2012 and 2016.
Bristol Rovers haven't scored in any of their last five games in League One, despite attempting 70 shots in this period (D3 L2).
Joe Piggott has scored 40% of AFC Wimbledon's goals in League One this season (four of 10); only Rochdale's Ian Henderson (43%) has netted a higher percentage of his team's goals in the competition.
Bristol Rovers' Liam Sercombe has had 28 shots without scoring in League One this term; only Coventry's Luke Thomas (33) has had more without finding the net.
