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Wycombevs.Portsmouth

sportsmole.co.uk, 27 March 2024, 22:37
League leaders Portsmouth will resume their promotion bid with a trip to Adams Park for Friday's meeting with Wycombe Wanderers.

The Chairboys have won each of their last three matches, while Pompey are currently enjoying a 12-game unbeaten run.

Match preview

After beginning March with a 4-2 defeat to Barnsley, Wycombe have bounced back to put together a three-game winning run.

The Chairboys claimed a 2-1 win in their away meeting with Reading, before they recorded another narrow victory against Wigan Athletic.

Matt Bloomfield's side followed those impressive results with a 2-0 win over Northampton Town thanks to a second-half brace from midfielder Matt Butcher.

That victory took the 13th-placed side to the 50-point mark, leaving them well set to extend their stay in the third tier.

Although they face a tough test this weekend, Wycombe may be able to draw inspiration from the fact that they picked up a 2-0 win in their previous home game against Portsmouth in December 2022.

Pompey are closing in on promotion to the Championship, having established a five-point lead over second-placed Derby County and a nine-point cushion to Bolton Wanderers in third position.

They claimed a crucial victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Peterborough United in their most recent outing, with Kusini Yengi coming off the bench to score the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Impressively, John Mousinho's side have won nine and drawn three of their last 12 matches since losing to Leyton Orient in the middle of January.

They will certainly fancy their chances of extending that unbeaten run after keeping clean sheets in each of their last four away matches.

Portsmouth have already enjoyed success against Wycombe this season, coming back from a goal down to clinch a 2-1 win when the two sides met at Fratton Park in October.

Wycombe Wanderers League One form:

L

W

L

W

W

W

Portsmouth League One form:

W

D

W

D

W

W

Team News

Wycombe are still expected to be without the services of defender Kane Vincent-Young and forward Brandon Hanlan.

Midfielder Josh Scowen could be recalled to the starting lineup after dropping out of the side for the win over Northampton.

David Wheeler is available for selection following a three-match suspension, but he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Alex Robertson, Terry Devlin, Joe Morrell, Tom Lowery, Regan Poole and Tom McIntyre.

Midfielder Ben Stevenson is likely to be among the substitutes after returning to full training following a knee ligament injury.

Chelsea loanee Tino Anjorin is also closing in on a comeback and is in contention to feature in Friday's matchday squad.

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Lonwijk, Tafazolli, Leahy; Potts, Butcher, Scowen; Kodua, Sadlier, Lubala

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Swanson, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Sparkes; Pack, Moxon; Kamara, Peart-Harris, Whyte; Bishop

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth

Although Portsmouth are unbeaten in 12 matches, they have had to settle for a draw in three of their last five away games.

With that in mind, we think that they may have to be content with a point against a Wycombe side that is currently enjoying a fine run of form.

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