A spell of three games in six days over the Christmas period ends for Sutton and Wimbledon on Sunday with a League Two local derby at the VBS Community Stadium, kicking off at 3pm. The game is a sell out, with no tickets available for sale on the day of the game.
The sides met at Plough Lane in October, Craig Eastmond's goal proving decisive as Sutton picked up a first away league win of the season, but that was the last game that Wimbledon lost in the league, and they extended their unbeaten run to ten games on Thursday, coming from behind to beat Colchester 2-1 in Essex. With U's picking up a second away win at Crawley on Monday, and then grabbing a last minute victory against Gillingham on Thursday, both sides are in the congested group of clubs behind the top three, with Carlisle in 4th separated from U's in 15th by seven points. Wimbledon are in 11th place, two points ahead of Sutton with a game in hand - infact all the clubs above Sutton in the table except Swindon have played fewer games than U's.
Wimbledon have already gained a measure of revenge for the October defeat by knocking U's out of the Papa Johns Trophy, Kyle Hudlin scoring the only goal of the game in November, and the tall striker will be eligible to play after his sending off against Newport on Monday was rescinded.
Sutton welcomed Ben Goodliffe and Aaron Pierre back to action on Thursday after injury layoffs, but may again be without Rob Milsom and Donovan Wilson, while waiting to see if Sam Hart has recovered from the facial injury that forced him off against Gillingham.
Sunday's referee is Will Finnie, in his fourth EFL season and making his second visit of this campaign to the VBS after taking charge of September's game against Hartlepool.
Before the game a minute's applause will be held in tribute to Pele, who passed away on Thursday evening.
The home fanzone will be open from 12 noon, while there will also be a fanzone for Wimbledon supporters behind the visiting accommodation which will be open from 1.30pm, both offering food and drink in the run-up to the game. Please note that the terrace between the main stand and the usual visiting accommodation (the Tardis terrace) will be used for Wimbledon supporters on Sunday. We would also ask supporters with car park passes to arrive as early as possible, and in general would recommend supporters to arrive at the game early to ease any congestion around the turnstiles.
As mentioned above, the game is a sell out but supporters unable to see the game in person can watch the game live through our iFollow service, with a match pass costing £10 and available to buy here. Overseas viewers can use the same link to buy a half-season pass for £85, which will give access to all games for the remainder of the season. This offer, which is for overseas viewers only, is available until 31 January.
As this is already a sell out, any half-season tickets bought will NOT be valid for this match.
Copies of the match programme, which is a double issue combined with the Gillingham game, is still available to order on line here, price £4 plus postage.