On Monday 26th May, Walsall and AFC Wimbledon are set to contest the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium. With promotion to League One on the line, the tie is set to be a fascinating encounter.
What's more, the contest is shrouded in an air of uncertainty. In late January, The Saddlers looked set to return to the third tier for the first time since 2019, but saw a whopping 14-point advantage slip through their fingers.
Even as late as the 96th minute at Valley Parade on the final day, Walsall were set to cling onto third position. Instead, Antonio Sarcevic's dramatic winner condemned Mat Sadler's side to the play-offs, where they recaptured some of their early-season form to sweep aside Chesterfield and book their Wembley ticket.
AFC Wimbledon, who boasted the meanest defence in the entire division this season, head to Wembley after two narrow semi-final wins over Notts County. Defeat cost County boss Stuart Maynard his job, but Dons manager Johnnie Jackson will be confident of achieving a League One return after three years away.
The Dons certainly have the quality to get one over Monday's opponents for the first time this season, regardless of which version of Walsall turn up.
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Team news
Walsall
In Thursday's pre-match press conference, Sadler revealed that both Oisin McEntee are Jack Earing are "fighting to be fit" for Monday's showpiece.
The Irish defender was absent for both legs of the Chesterfield semi-final, having suffered an ankle injury in last month's 2-0 defeat to Barrow. McEntee fought through the pain to participate in Walsall's doomed final automatic promotion push, but only at the expense of his future fitness.
Midfielder Earing, who hasn't featured at all this calendar year due to his own ankle issues, has been in training since March and hopes to be involved on Monday.
AFC Wimbledon
Jackson will be without defender Sam Hutchinson at Wembley, after he bravely shared that he suffered a heart attack during a 1-0 win at Grimsby Town on the final day of the regular reason. Hutchinson admitted that he "broke down" following the news, and will be a massive loss for Wimbledon as they seek a League One return.
Lebanese striker Omar Bugiel was left out of the second leg at Plough Lane, with Marcus Browne instead partnering top scorer Matty Stevens. Following that game, Jackson disclosed that Bugiel would likely not be involved at Wembley, either.
Elsewhere, centre-back Riley Harbottle is hoping to be involved, having been withdrawn at half-time last week as a precaution.
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Predicted lineups
Walsall
Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Asiimwe, Chang, Stirk, Gordon; Jellis, Hall; Matt (c)
AFC Wimbledon
Goodman; Harbottle, Lewis, Johnson; Reeves (c), Smith, Hippolyte, Tilley, Neufville; Stevens, Browne
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Players to watch
Walsall - Albert Adomah
Veteran forward Albert Adomah is no stranger to a Wembley showpiece. One year before his Middlesbrough side won automatic promotion to the Premier League in 2016, they fell to Norwich City in the Championship play-off final.
In 2019, though, Adomah helped Aston Villa to their own top-flight return with a Wembley win over Derby County.
The former Ghanaian international has started the last three games on the bench, but helped himself to a fabulous assist in the second leg against Chesterfield. With Wimbledon boasting the best defence in the league, Sadler may well rely on Adomah from the bench one more time.
AFC Wimbledon - Matty Stevens
Former Saddlers forward Matty Stevens enjoyed a prolific start to the season, but hasn't scored in the league since February's 1-0 win at home to Salford City.
However, Stevens remains the side's top goalscorer, and will be eager to recapture some of his early-season form on Monday. He is a proven goalscorer at this level, and Wimbledon will be relying on him to make the difference once again.
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Match details
Where is the game being played?
The game will take place at Wembley Stadium, London.
What time is kick-off?
The game kicks off at 15:01 GMT on Monday 26th May.
How can I watch?
The game will be televised live on Sky Sports Football. Highlights will also be available after full-time.
