Burton Albion host AFC Wimbledon in League One on 2 September 2026, a rescheduled fourth round fixture with both sides sitting on four points from three games (11th and 14th respectively), with nothing meaningful between them in the table. What does separate them is the transfer of centre back Joe Lewis from Wimbledon to Burton on 30 August, which gives this game a sharper edge than the standings alone suggest.
Gary Bowyer has been at Burton since December 2024, replacing Mark Robinson, while Johnnie Jackson has managed Wimbledon since May 2022 when he took over from caretaker Mark Bowen and built a direct, hard nosed side. Their managerial head to head is limited and the overall fixture record across 18 meetings, with Burton winning seven, is the more instructive measure of where these clubs stand relative to each other.
Burton lost 2-1 at Notts County on 29 August after going ahead and then conceding twice, a result that followed a patchy run of D L D W L across league and cup. The margin flattered Notts County somewhat but the defensive lapse that cost Burton the lead remains a concern. Wimbledon arrive in better shape after a 1-0 win at Wigan on 30 August, their first clean sheet of the season, confirming what Jackson has been building: a compact defensive block that can nick goals on the counter. Wimbledon's three game league run of W D L puts them in marginally better shape heading in, despite the identical points tally.
Neither side has significant injury or suspension concerns, so both managers can name the side they want. Burton's main talking point is the possible debut of Joe Lewis, who could line up against his former employers within days of signing. Matthew Dennis leads the attack and has been among the goals, while Kgagelo Chauke has contributed a goal from midfield this season. Wimbledon pair Jayden Stockley with Harry Cornick up front, Myles Hippolyte scored at Wigan and comes in as the most direct option in wide areas and Steven Sessegnon has strengthened the right flank.
Bowyer's Burton operate in a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot protecting the back four and the wide men are set up to pull defenders wide and create space in behind for Dennis. Near post deliveries from set pieces have already produced goals for Armer and Chauke this season. Wimbledon under Jackson are dangerous from dead balls too, though questions remain about how they cope when pressed.
The Lewis factor is the most interesting thread in this game. He knows which runs Jackson's forwards make, how Wimbledon look to play out from the back and where the system's pressure points are, so Burton's coaching staff go into this with intelligence that no dossier can replicate. Whether Dennis can manufacture the openings that Burton's set piece threat then capitalises on is the question the game is likely to turn on and with both squads fully available, a set piece or a single error is probably all that separates the sides.
Burton have won seven of the 18 previous meetings, including two recent 1-0 victories both settled by set pieces, which is exactly how Bowyer will want this one resolved and the historical record gives him reason to believe it can be.
Burton 3-0 AFC Wimbledon. Home advantage, a settled defensive shape and Lewis facing his former employers within days of leaving all point the same way. Wimbledon's dead ball delivery will test Burton but their set piece threat and the intelligence advantage Lewis brings should carry them to three clear goals and a clean sheet.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
