Preview: Wycombe Wanderers vs. Barnsley - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 March 2023, 00:26
Wycombe Wanderers will attempt to record a second straight victory when they welcome Barnsley to Adams Park on Saturday.

While the hosts are currently sitting in seventh place in the League One table, Barnsley occupy fourth position after embarking on a 10-game unbeaten run.

Match preview

Wycombe bounced back from a narrow 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion by claiming a 2-0 victory in their midweek meeting with Bristol Rovers.

Brandon Hanlan opened the scoring in the 16th minute, before Chem Campbell doubled Wycombe's advantage just after the hour mark.

Tuesday's away victory leaves Wycombe in seventh place with three points separating them from sixth-placed Bolton Wanderers, who have played a game more.

The Chairboys will continue their playoff push on Saturday, and they will be hopeful of claiming a positive result after dropping just two points in their last five home matches.

Although they face an in-form Barnsley side, Wycombe will draw inspiration from the commanding 3-0 victory that they recorded over Barnsley in August.

The Tykes, meanwhile, gave their promotion hopes a significant boost last weekend when they thrashed second-placed Plymouth Argyle at Oakwell.

After playing out a goalless first half, Adam Phillips opened the scoring on the hour mark, before Mads Andersen and Nicky Cadden grabbed a goal apiece to wrap up a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Barnsley's fifth consecutive home victory moved them to within eight points behind Plymouth, who have played two games more.

Saturday's visitors will be determined to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games ahead of Tuesday's crucial meeting with league leaders Sheffield Wednesday.

If the Tykes are to claim a positive result against Wycombe then the first goal could be pivotal as Barnsley have won 20 and drawn two of the 22 league games where they have opened the scoring.

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

W

L

D

W

L

W

Barnsley League One form:

W

W

W

D

W

W

Team News

Wycombe boss Matt Bloomfield has indicated that Ryan Tafazolli, Jordan Obita, Sam Vokes and Nick Freeman will remain sidelined.

Dominic Gape, David Wheeler and Curtis Thompson are also set to miss out once again, which will test the strength in depth of the Wycombe squad.

With the hosts low on numbers, Bloomfield could be tempted to name an unchanged starting lineup for Saturday's home meeting.

As for the visitors, Robbie Cundy has returned to training after recovering from a knee problem, but Saturday's contest may come too soon for the defender.

Barry Cotter is under concussion protocol after receiving a head injury during a development game in midweek, which could keep him out of Saturday's encounter.

Barnsley boss Michael Duff is hopeful that goalkeeper Brad Collins will be fit enough to return to the side after missing the last seven games with a quad injury.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; McCarthy, Grimmer, Forino-Joseph, Jacobson; Wing, Scowen; McCleary, De Barr, Campbell; Hanlan

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Collins; Thomas, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, Phillips, Connell, Kane, Cadden; Watters, Norwood

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Barnsley

Barnsley will travel to Adams Park in impressive form after dropping just four points in their last 10 matches, but we think that they will be held by a Wycombe side who are unbeaten in five home games.

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