Grimsby Town will host AFC Wimbledon on Monday afternoon for their final game of the 2022-23 League Two campaign. Grimsby, who secured a return to the Football League through last season’s National League playoffs, has enjoyed a solid season in the league, securing 58 points and are currently in 12th position. Although the Mariners cannot claim anything substantial, they will be bidding to secure a top-half finish in the League Two table. Paul Hurst’s side would finish as high as 10th or drop down to 16th, depending on other results.
Grimsby enters the match off the back of a 2-0 loss to Stevenage but won their last home game against Crewe Alexandra on April 25. On the other hand, AFC Wimbledon has had a challenging campaign, securing only 48 points from their 45 matches, placing them in 21st position in the table. Although it’s been tough, they have avoided being relegated, with Rochdale and Hartlepool United the two sides dropping out of the Football League this term. AFC Wimbledon has picked up 20 points from their 22 away league games this season, which is far from disastrous.
Grimsby boss Hurst may make a couple of changes to his starting side following the two-goal defeat to Stevenage last weekend. Danny Amos and Otis Khan could be the two players to come into the XI, with the former likely to be used as the left-sided wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation. In contrast, AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson may stick with his side’s performance against Tranmere last time out and keep the same XI. Ali Al-Hamadi is AFC Wimbledon’s leading goalscorer in the league this season with ten and will feature in the final third of the field for the visitors.
No team has drawn more home games in League Two than Grimsby (10) this season, and a draw is likely to happen. AFC Wimbledon has avoided defeat in 12 of their 22 away league games this term and has enough quality to emerge with a point on the final matchday of the campaign. It’s predicted that the game will finish at 1-1, given their performance throughout the season.
Overall, the game is expected to be a challenging but exciting encounter. Grimsby will look to end their season on a positive note and secure a top-half finish while AFC Wimbledon will take this opportunity to prepare for the 2023-24 season after a difficult campaign. Regardless of the outcome, fans of both teams will be looking forward to the future with optimism.
