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

Wycombe Wanderers play host to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon sitting 12 points adrift of safety in the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, Forest make the trip to Adams Park on the back of an excellent 2-1 win at Coventry City, a result which has moved the club into 19th position.

Match preview

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When Forest succumbed to a 5-1 defeat at Swansea City in the FA Cup, Chris Hughton would have been aware that it was make-or-break time for his team's season.

Fortunately for Hughton, Forest have responded by collecting four points from two matches, a draw at Barnsley being followed by the victory against Coventry in midweek.

While Forest remain just three points clear of the relegation zone, they are now within touching distance of becoming involved in the mid-table picture, something which seemed unlikely at the turn of the year.

As many as 11 points have been collected from their last six games, a record which has been put together with just five goals being conceded by an improving defence.

Although Hughton will be keen to ensure that this group of players do not get ahead of themselves, they look capable of ensuring that any concerns of relegation will soon be a thing of the past.

Wycombe are currently playing a number of fixtures against teams in the bottom half of the table, a schedule which will likely have direct consequences at the end of the campaign.

Despite four points being recorded from as many matches, all of Wycombe's rivals have put together a better points haul over the same period.

Gareth Ainsworth has been left in little doubt that only wins will benefit his team going forward, and risks will have to be taken at Adams Park this weekend.

There was an element of fortune to their goalless draw against Birmingham in midweek, something which can only encourage Ainsworth's team to seize the initiative in their upcoming fixtures.

Wycombe Wanderers Championship form: DLWLLD

Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions): WLWLLD

Nottingham Forest Championship form: DWWLDW

Nottingham Forest form (all competitions): WWLLDW

Team News

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Scott Kashket and Adebayo Akinfenwa are both in contention for a recall to the Wycombe starting lineup.

However, Ainsworth may decide to stick with the same team which kept a rare clean sheet in the game against Birmingham.

Barring any fitness issues, Forest boss Hughton is unlikely to tinker with the team which started versus Coventry.

Luke Freeman could be brought back into the team having featured during the second half at St Andrew's, but new signing Glenn Murray will remain on the substitutes' bench.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Allsop; Grimmer, Knight, Tafazolli, Obita; Ofoborh, Thompson, Bloomfield; Onyedinma, Ikpeazu, Muskwe

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Christie, Figueiredo, Worrall, Bong; Garner, Cafu; Knockaert, Krovinovic, Ameobi; Grabban

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-3 Nottingham Forest

While Wycombe can ill-afford any more defeats at this stage of the season, they are also aware that draws against their relegation rivals are not enough. With that in mind, we think Forest will take advantage, particularly in the second half when the home side will have to throw caution to the wind.

Top betting tip

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Betting Odds

At the time of writing the odds being offered for this match were - Wycombe Wanderers to win: 3.77 (277/100), Draw: 3.43 (243/100), Nottingham Forest to win: 1.99 (99/100).