Álvaro Hernández
Dailysports's expert
On May 17, the return leg of the League Two playoff semifinal will take place at Cherry Red Records Stadium, where Wimbledon will face Notts County. For this clash, I’m offering a bet on goals / cards / winner.
Wimbledon
The club is known not just for its storied history, crowned with a cup triumph, but for its truly unique journey. When financial woes forced a change of ownership and a proposed relocation, local fans essentially created a “clone” club from scratch—eventually reclaiming the original’s identity through the courts. What’s more, they have steadily managed to catch up to MK Dons in terms of level.
In many respects, the 2024/2025 season can already be considered a success. They managed to rack up over twenty points more than their rivals—74 versus 53. A shaky end to the campaign, with just two wins in the last nine rounds, can be chalked up to Stuart Maynard conserving energy for the inevitable playoff push. And they started with a victory, even if it was by the narrowest of margins!
Notts County
This team is memorable in its own right for those who have followed English football for some time. Notts County is the official record holder—the oldest football club not just in England, but in the world. Yet, their results have been modest. There was an attempt to capitalize on their heritage, bringing in several high-profile players, including Sol Campbell, and even appointing Sven-Göran Eriksson as manager. But the momentum didn’t last, and only recently have they managed to establish themselves in League Two. Just last season, they finished fourteenth.
This season, the club has reminded everyone of its pedigree. Not enough to claim a direct ticket to the Championship, especially with competition like Birmingham and Wrexham, but they did secure a spot in the top six. Even a run of four defeats in their last six matches couldn’t knock them out of playoff contention—it’s clear they, like their opponents, were already focused on the playoffs. There, too, they failed to respond to a goal conceded at home.
Match facts
- Wimbledon have won two matches in a row
- On average, Wimbledon score 1.21 goals and concede 0.74 per match
- Notts County have lost three of their last four games
H2H
After four consecutive defeats, Notts County finally grabbed a win in October. But in March, Wimbledon secured a 2-0 home victory.
Wimbledon - Notts County prediction
The bookmakers tend to expect another home win. But considering the hosts only need a draw, I’ll go with a "0" handicap (odds – 1.615).
