AFC Wimbledon vs Exeter Prediction & Betting Tips (29 December)

AFC Wimbledon approach this League One meeting with Exeter carrying a mixture of frustration and resilience, shaped by a demanding run of fixtures over the past two months. Their recent schedule included a dramatic 3‑3 draw with Huddersfield Town, followed by a remarkable 5‑1 away victory over Cardiff City in the Vertu Trophy, a result that briefly reignited optimism within the squadAFC Wimbledon. However, inconsistency has remained a theme, highlighted again in their narrow 1‑0 defeat to Exeter earlier this month, where several changes to the starting lineup disrupted their rhythmAFC Wimbledon. With the festive period traditionally tightening the table and testing squad depth across the divisionYahoo Sports UK, Wimbledon enter this clash knowing that every point now carries heightened significance.

Exeter City, meanwhile, have been navigating a tense period near the lower end of the League One standings, and their recent form reflects a team fighting to regain stability. Their most notable result in the past weeks was the 1‑0 win over AFC Wimbledon at St James Park, secured by a late strike from Jack McMillan, a moment that provided much‑needed relief for a side struggling to convert performances into pointsSky Sports+1. Prior to that, Exeter had endured a difficult stretch, with goals hard to come by and pressure mounting as the table tightened. The club’s situation has been widely discussed in recent previews, with analysts noting that the festive run of fixtures could play a decisive role in shaping their season trajectorySports Mole.

Both teams therefore enter this matchup with contrasting but equally compelling motivations. Wimbledon are eager to reassert themselves after losing ground in the promotion race, while Exeter are determined to build on their recent victory and escape the gravitational pull of the relegation zone. Their previous meeting earlier this month was a cagey affair, with both sides struggling to create clear‑cut chances until the late breakthrough for ExeterSky Sports. That match also showcased the defensive discipline of both squads, as goalkeepers were largely untested for long stretches, suggesting that tactical caution may again define the early phases of this encounter.

Taking all recent performances, squad adjustments, and the overall competitive balance between the sides into account, this fixture has the feel of a tightly contested battle rather than an open, high‑scoring affair. Wimbledon’s attacking potential has shown flashes, while Exeter’s defensive structure has improved just enough to keep them competitive in difficult moments. With both teams under pressure to secure something tangible from this meeting, a shared outcome appears plausible. For this preview, the predicted correct score is 1‑1.