Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Wycombe Wanderers and Northampton Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Wycombe Wanderers play host to Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon with an opportunity to strengthen their position in the automatic promotion places.
At a time when the home side sit in second position in the League One table, the visitors to Adams Park are in 20th spot, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Match preview
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With over a week having passed since Matt Bloomfield‘s move to Luton Town, Wycombe fans may have expected a permanent successor to have been appointed.
Nevertheless, interim head coach Sam Grace remains at the helm for the time being having delivered a timely 2-1 victory at Mansfield Town last time out.
At a time when Wrexham lost their most recent league game, Wycombe have moved three points clear in the race for automatic promotion, as well as remaining within two points of leaders Birmingham City.
Grace will expect to be replaced in due course, yet there is a realistic opportunity to enhance his own reputation with another three points in this fixture.
Wycombe have prevailed in just one of their most recent five league games, although they did record a 2-0 victory over Championship side Portsmouth in the FA Cup on January 10.
Meanwhile, Northampton can be relatively pleased with their start to life under Kevin Nolan having recently put together a three-match unbeaten streak.
Collecting five points from games against Shrewsbury Town, Stevenage and Burton Albion ensured that the Cobblers created some space between themselves and the bottom four.
However, the 1-0 defeat at home to Lincoln City last time out has halted their momentum and given hope to the chasing pack, with bottom-placed Cambridge United only eight points adrift.
That said, with just two goals having been conceded across the most recent four league matches, there is reason for Nolan and his players to head into this encounter with confidence that they can cause a surprise.
Wycombe Wanderers League One form:
Wycombe Wanderers form (all competitions):
Northampton Town League One form:
Team News
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Garath McCleary will expect to start for Wycombe after the versatile attacker came off the substitutes’ bench to net a crucial goal at Mansfield.
Fred Onyedinma could be the player to miss out, while Richard Kone should retain his spot in attack having scored his 17th goal of the campaign in that fixture.
Despite defeat to Lincoln, Nolan is unlikely to over-react with significant changes to his Northampton side.
Tariqe Fosu may return in a creative role ahead of Samy Chouchane, but James Wilson may have to bide his time for a start in attack having only recently returned from injury.
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Skura, Bradley, Harvie; Scowen, Leahy; McCleary, Humphreys, Lubala; Kone
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Tzanev; McGowan, Willis, Eyoma; Odimayo, Shaw, Hondermarck, Pinnock; Fosu; Hoskins, Eaves
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 3-1 Northampton Town
With the uncertainty over Wycombe’s managerial position, Northampton will fancy their chances at Adams Park. Nevertheless, we can only back the Chairboys to add another victory to their tally to keep pace with Birmingham in the process.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
