That's a big goal for Northampton. The Cobblers are up to 10th from 15th as things stand.

Wimbledon fans don't need reminding again that it's six games without a win before tonight.

The Dons came up from League Two last season and looked to be on course for back-to-back promotion pushes but have slipped from one point off top in fourth and are now down to 11th in the live table.

Their task tonight has just got harder.

Mark Stillman
Commentator on BBC Radio Bristol

Crewe Alexandra have made a flying start in this game.

The goal was ferocious and unstoppable, he couldn't have met it much sweeter.

The first job of the night for Luke Southwood was to pick the ball out the back of his own net.

New management and the same old story for Bristol Rovers.

Image source, Shutterstock

Not the start new Bristol Rovers boss Steve Evans will have wanted as his side trail Crewe. Emre Tezgel with the goal after nine minutes.

Another Myles Hippolyte foul and this time it's given away deeper inside his own half by the Wimbledon midfielder.

Manchester United youngster Ethan Wheatley flicks it on at the near post from Dean Campbell's teasing ball and it flashes across the box but Wimbledon are able to put it behind for a corner.

Wimbledon's Myles Hippolyte crashes into the back of Northampton midfielder Terry Taylor just inside the Cobblers' half and gives away a free-kick.

It's sent forward but the visitors are able to get it clear.

The Wimbledon following are making themselves heard at Sixfields already this evening. If ever a team needed their fans to get behind them, it's the Dons right now.

Only Doncaster (5) and Port Vale (3) have picked up fewer points than Johnnie Jackson's side (6) in the past eight League One games.

A bright start for Northampton.

Ethan Wheatley bursts forward and plays in Sam Hoskins on the right. He floats one to the back post for Cameron McGeehan but he can only divert his header over the bar.

Two sides very much in need of a win tonight. It's one win in four for Northampton in League One. AFC Wimbledon are without a win in their past six.

That's the spirit, Ian...

Sixfields. Six days until Christmas. What could be better? We’re under way in the only League One game tonight between Northampton and AFC Wimbledon.

Also getting going in the three League Two encounters.

Image source, Shutterstock

A clear but crisp winter night under the lights as the two sets of players emerge at Sixfields, greeted by Santa and his elves waving around Northampton Town flags...

The Cobblers are in their traditional claret and white home strip and Wimbledon are donning their yellow away number.

BBC Local Radio

Unfortunately broadcasting rights mean we are unable to bring you live radio coverage of tonight's games on this page.

If, however, you live in the local area you may be able to find commentary of tonight's games the old fashioned way.

We'll be listening in on your behalf, though, and will bring you a flavour of the BBC Local Radio coverage right here on this page throughout the evening.

Remember you can have your say on tonight's action and all things EFL! What do you want for your team for Christmas?

Wimbledon fans, do you think you can rekindle your season and push for the top six in League One?

Northampton supporters, Is avoiding relegation the realistic target for or should you aim higher?

Let us know your thoughts on any of that and the three League Two games by tapping on the Get Involved button at the top of this page.

Image source, Opta

Kevin Nolan makes three changes for Northampton from their 2-1 defeat at Peterborough last Saturday.

Michael Forbes, Jordan Thorniley and Tom Eaves all come in. Jack Perkins is suspended after his red card against the Posh, while Max Dyche and Elliott List drop to the bench.

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson makes two changes from the side that drew 0-0 at home to Mansfield last weekend.

Captain Jake Reeves returns to the starting line-up in midfield in place of Callum Maycock, who drops to the bench.

Omar Bugiel comes in up front for Danilo Orsi, who is also among the subs.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Opta

• Northampton Town have lost just two of their 18 EFL games against AFC Wimbledon (W8 D8), with this fixture finishing 0-0 the last time it was played in February 2023.
• AFC Wimbledon are unbeaten across their past five away league games against Northampton Town (W1 D4), keeping three clean sheets in that time.
• In League One this season, Northampton are the only side yet to score in both halves of the same league game, last managing that feat against Shrewsbury in April.
• AFC Wimbledon have conceded 19 goals in total across their 10 away League One games this season, with only Leyton Orient (23) conceding more on their travels in the division.

Image source, Shutterstock

Northampton Town are battling to stay in League One in an extremely tightly contested survival scrap with just two points separating the Cobblers in 15th from Plymouth in 21st.

Kevin Nolan’s side lost 2-1 at relegation rivals Peterborough last time out, having played 80 minutes with 10 men, though it was just their second defeat in five games (W2 D1).

Victory tonight would effectively leave Northampton smack bang in the middle between the play-offs and drop zone - five points clear of the bottom four and five points behind the top-six.

As for AFC Wimbledon, their push for back-to-back promotions has been dissipating at a rate of knots, with no wins in their past six games (D2 L4).

The Dons were fourth and only one point behind top spot when they won at Plymouth on 18 October, but have slipped to 10th since then and are five points adrift of the play-off places going into this one.

Image source, Shutterstock

AFC Wimbledon will move up to seventh and within two points of the League One play-off places with a win.

Reading's victory over Luton last night means they've moved above Northampton and into 14th.

But three points for the Cobblers would see them climb five places to 10th - and above tonight's opponents.

Perhaps more importantly for Kevin Nolan's side, a win would move them five points clear of the relegation zone.