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

Unlike several teams in the league, these sides were not involved in midweek action and come into this match having booked their places in the second round of the FA Cup last weekend.

Match preview

After extending his contract with Wycombe Wanderers a couple of weeks ago, former club captain Matt Bloomfield continued his positive run in charge by steering his side to a 2-1 win over Bradford City in the FA Cup last weekend.

Killian Phillips scored for The Chairboys inside the first 20 minutes before a Sam Stubbs own goal extended the lead, and while their opponents did manage to pull one back in the second half, they could not find the leveller.

The new man in charge will now look to carry that momentum into the league, where his side have failed to win any of their last four matches, including three draws and a 4-2 defeat away to Bolton Wanderers.

That run of results leaves them in 10th place in the league standings with 22 points after 15 games, still only four points behind their opponents, who currently occupy the final promotion playoff spot.

While these sides have not faced off in league action since the 2017-18 season, they have crossed paths fairly regularly in cup matches over the past few years, with the most recent ending in a 1-0 win for Wycombe just last month in the EFL Trophy.

Meanwhile, Stevenage will no doubt recall that match vividly and will love nothing more than to return the favour in this one and potentially widen the gap between themselves and the sides just below them.

The Boro have enjoyed an excellent run over the last three seasons, going from barely surviving the drop in League Two in 2021-22 to promotion in the next season and already positioning themselves in a playoff spot in the current campaign.

Steve Evans's side has already bagged 26 points from their first 16 games, and a win here could take them as high as fourth place if Peterborough United and Barnsley fail to win their weekend fixtures.

The visitors booked their place in the second round of the FA Cup with a nail-biting 4-3 win over Tranmere Rovers, where Jamie Reid scored the winner in the 10th minute of stoppage time.

With that result, Stevenage are now unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions but will need to snap up a three-match winless streak in away games if they are to keep the pressure on the sides above them.

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

L

W

D

L

D

D

Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):

W

D

L

D

D

W

Stevenage League One form:

L

W

L

D

D

W

Stevenage form (all competitions):

L

L

D

D

W

W

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Team News

Wycombe have been without Joe Jacobson, Jack Grimmer and Jason McCarthy in recent weeks, and while the former two were spotted in training this week, they are still a few weeks away from returning to first-team action.

Luke Leahy was given a run in midfield against Bradford City and could return to defence for this match, while Phillps and Freddie Potts are expected to continue in The Chairboys' engine room.

Luther Wildin was rested against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup and should return to the backline alongside Terence Vancooten, Carl Piergianni and Dan Butler.

Dan Sweeney is ruled out through injury, while Finley Burns will be hoping to make the starting 11 after coming off the bench for the best part of the second half last weekend.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Leahy, Tafazolli, Keogh, Low; McCleary, Potts, Phillips; Taylor, Vokes, Hanlan

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Vancooten, Piergianni, Butler; MacDonald, Burns, Freeman; Roberts; Reid, List

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Stevenage

While Wycombe have not been at their absolute best this season, they have been very difficult to beat at Adams Park and we expect another resilient performance from them in this match. Stevenage have not travelled well since the start of October, and we feel they will have to settle for a share of the spoils in this one.

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