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

sportsmole.co.uk, 9 February 2023, 19:38
Derby County will be looking to claim a sixth consecutive victory in League One when they travel to Adams Park to face Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

The hosts, meanwhile, have the chance to record a third straight win after beating Oxford United and Port Vale in their last two matches.

Match preview

After losing to Sheffield Wednesday in the middle of January, Wycombe have returned to winning ways in style, claiming two straight victories without conceding.

Wycombe scored two first half goals to clinch a 2-0 home win over Oxford, before they thrashed Port Vale 3-0 last weekend, thanks to goals from Brandon Hanlan, Joe Jacobson and Gareth McCleary.

The Chairboys have now won six of their last nine league games, and they are currently three points adrift of the playoffs, although they have played a game more than sixth-placed Barnsley.

After keeping consecutive clean sheets, Wycombe have 12 shutouts to their name in League One this season - only Derby, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday have recorded more.

Although they face an in-form Derby side on Saturday, Wycombe can draw confidence from the fact that they have won four of their last five home matches.

Meanwhile, Derby are currently enjoying a 15-game unbeaten league run, and since playing out a goalless draw with Bolton on December 27, they have recorded six straight victories in the league.

Last weekend, David McGoldrick scored a quick-fire hat-trick to give the Rams a three-goal lead against Morecambe, before James Collins and Jason Knight grabbed a goal a piece to wrap up a dominant 5-0 victory.

With Derby enjoying a remarkable run of form, they may still be harbouring hopes of achieving automatic promotion, and although they are eight points adrift of the top two, they do at least have a game in hand over second-placed Plymouth Argyle.

Having conceded only 21 goals in 28 games this season, the Rams boast the second-best defensive record in the third tier.

While they can call upon a resolute backline, Derby have also been finding the net at ease in recent weeks, and after scoring 16 goals in their last five league games, they will believe that they have the firepower to beat Wycombe on Saturday.

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

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L

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Derby County League One form:

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Derby County form (all competitions):

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Team News

Alfie Mawson, Chris Forino and Dominic Gape have been unavailable for Wycombe in recent weeks, while Ryan Tafazolli was forced off in the first half last weekend.

However, Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth has indicated that his injured squad members are set to return after stating that everyone is in contention for the weekend.

Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Chem Campbell came off the bench for the final few minutes to make his Wycombe debut last weekend, and he will feature among the substitutes once again.

As for the visitors, they are without the services of vice-captain Max Bird, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury.

After cruising to a comfortable victory last weekend, Derby manager Paul Warne may be tempted to name an unchanged lineup.

McGoldrick failed to score a hat-trick in his first 525 appearances of his club career, but he has managed to register three in his last 16 games, and he will be aiming to continue his impressive form on Saturday.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Grimmer, Tafazolli, Jacobson; Wheeler, Freeman, Scowen, Wing, Obita; Vokes, Hanlan

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Smith, Forsyth, Cashin, Roberts; Knight, Hourihane, Mendez-Laing, McGoldrick, Dobbin; Collins

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Derby County

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