Opposition Lowdown: Dons Hoping To Continue Strong Record Against Royals

AFC Wimbledon are competing in League One for the second consecutive season, having secured safety after finishing 19th, four points clear of the drop zone. They secured promotion to the third tier in 2025, via the playoffs, ending their three-year stay in League Two.

The Dons’ season started with a penalty shootout win against Newport County in the League Cup after a 1-1 draw in ordinary time.

Their league campaign however got off to a tough start last weekend, with Wimbledon losing 3-0 away to Huddersfield Town. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy, after conceding an 89th-minute equaliser.

The Dons claimed the bragging rights over the Royals in the league last season, beating Reading 1-2 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in August last year before following up with a 3-2 win at The Cherry Red Records Stadium in February.

Reading did however claim a 2-1 win over the Dons in a League Cup second-round clash.

Johnnie Jackson: Jackson was appointed Wimbledon manager in May 2022, taking over from former Reading boss Mark Bowen, after their relegation to League Two.

Jackson had an almost-20-year career as a player, starting out at Tottenham Hotspur, before going onto play for Colchester United, Notts County and Charlton Athletic, where he stayed for eight years, making 279 appearances and becoming captain.

Jackson retired from playing in 2018 but stayed at Charlton in a coaching role. He had two spells as caretaker manager, before being given the role full time in December 2021. His first spell in management was short-lived, with Jackson only surviving five months in charge before his sacking at the end of the 2021/22 season.

He was quickly back in a managerial job when Wimbledon appointed him in May 2022. Jackson guided Wimbledon to 21st- and 10th-placed finishes in League Two, before securing promotion back to League One in his third season, winning the playoffs, beating Walsall in the final.

After securing safety last season, the 44-year-old will be looking to better the Dons’ 19th-placed finish. Jackson likes to utilise wing-backs while making sure his team are compact defensively.

AFC Wimbledon have brought in seven players during the summer transfer window, with six signing permanently and one coming in on loan.

They started their summer recruitment with the free transfers of defenders Dan Sweeney and Steven Sessegnon and midfielder Zach Nelson. Former Wimbledon favourite James Tilley rejoined from Wycombe Wanderers, while striker Jayden Stockley also came in from Port Vale.

Young Chelsea midfielder Ollie Harrison has joined the Dons on loan for the season, with Wimbledon also bringing in former Reading captain Andy Yiadom on a short-term deal during the week.

Formation: 3-5-2

Style: Defensive, finding width through wingbacks.

Lineup: Bishop, Ogundere, Sweeney, Johnson, Tilley, Seddon, Nelson, Smith, Hippolyte, Browne, Stockley

3. Steve Seddon: Defender Seddon joined AFC Wimbledon last summer, following the end of his contract with Motherwell.

Berkshire-born, he stated his career in the youth setup at Reading before going on to join Birmingham City’s academy. He made his professional debut during a loan spell at Stevenage and only made 12 appearances for Birmingham, spending further loan spells at AFC Wimbledon and Portsmouth.

Seddon found regular first-team football at Oxford United, who he joined in 2021. Loan spells at Cambridge United and Burton Albion followed, before he moved to Motherwell in 2024, where he spent one season.

He signed for AFC Wimbledon permanently last June, starting his third spell at the Dons. In total the 28-year-old has made 93 appearances for the club, scoring five goals, while also picking up their player of the year award last season.

Seddon is a left-back who is energetic up and down the wing, while also being a strong crosser of the ball.

10. Zach Nelson: Midfielder Nelson joined Wimbledon this summer on a free transfer, following the end of his contract at Luton Town.

He started his career in the youth setup at Tottenham Hotspur, before joining Luton’s youth team in 2020. Nelson made his Hatters debut during their Premier League season in 2024, coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace.

Nelson gained more playing time the following season in the Championship and spent the second half of 2025/26 on loan at Wimbledon. The 21-year-old made 19 appearances for the Dons last season, scoring one goal in a 4-1 win over Blackpool.

He also has five England under-20 caps to his name. Nelson is typically a centre midfielder but he can also play out wide. He plays with high energy and carries the ball well.